The past comes alive at Finders Keepers in downtown Sugarcreek

  • By Kyle Valentini
  • August 2, 2013
  • 993
                        
Imagine losing your beloved class ring in 1972 but miraculously having it found just in time to wear to your 40th high school reunion. Finders Keepers, Sugarcreek’s newest downtown business can do that. Not only are they a retailer of nostalgic items from the 1950’s to the not-so-distant past, they also provide the service of finding lost items for a nominal finder’s fee. Finders Keepers is like no other store in the region and larger than life owner, Mike Shario who is known to his friends as Big Mike chose Sugarcreek as the location for his business because of the uniqueness of the village and the enthusiasm of Mayor Clayton Weller. He, along with business partner Mitch Joseph, employees Mouse and Jesse who round out the Finders Keepers search team are anxious for residents and visitors to the region to stop in and discover how popular culture can connect us. “A lot of people recognize me from TV and my appearances on The History Channel shows American Restoration and Pawn Stars,” said Big Mike. “That all got started when I couldn't find the right person to restore my unique junk. I'd heard of Rick Dale before he had the shows but by time he started restoring stuff for me he had his own highly rated TV show and I guess my items fit right in to what he was trying to restore each week.” In order to pay for restorations Big Mike would sell unique and collectible items to the Las Vegas Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. “It all just sort of worked out and they are all great guys in person,” said Big Mike. “I've been lucky enough to be invited back more than a few times. Everything is filmed in Las Vegas and yes it's all real and shot non-scripted and they just make it so easy and so much fun.” Having sold collectibles using online auction sites, Big Mike said he wanted to reconnect with people. “I love hearing the stories and seeing how people light up when they see an item that takes them back in time to a special moment,” said Big Mike. “I had a customer brought to tears when she smelled the familiar candy that reminded her of her grandfather.” Yes, Finders Keepers even carries candy, cereal and the shampoo some of us are old enough to remember, Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific. “A lot of the stuff you see in our store is a result of us looking for one thing but stumbling onto something totally different,” said Big Mike. “Every search is an adventure. We have searched houses, barns, prisons, old factories, a castle, outhouses, tunnels, caves, mines, shipwrecks and even a lighthouse. When we tell you every item has a story to tell, we mean it.” Big Mike said current hot collectibles include Star Wars, Elvis and anything Michael Jackson. “We concentrate on popular culture items from the 1950’s into the early 2000’s but we have some older things as well,” said Big Mike. “We’ve got film cases from Gone with the Wind and some of the pieces of wreckage from the first of four United States Navy rigid airships, the U.S.S. Shenandoah that crashed in a thunderstorm in Ada, Ohio in 1925.” Finders Keepers has no web site and no Facebook page. “We want to be a destination store that people look forward to visiting,” said Big Mike. “We don't want you to be able to just buy online because we believe the mom and pop, brick and mortar experience is dying in most cities. The Amish Country area harkens back to the simpler times and those Mayberry type values we all kind of miss in the big metropolis.” In addition to Finders Keepers, visitors to Sugarcreek can enjoy the newly remodeled Cuckoo Clock that sits directly across the street from the shop. Deemed the largest in the world, visitors are charmed by the Bavarian music and animated figures that appear every half hour. Across the street, the recently completed Brick Wall Sculpture made up of 13 panels, tells the story and history of the village and surrounding area. The Horse-Drawn Trolley is an excellent way to enjoy downtown. Everyone in the village is excited about the opening of David Warther Carvings just outside of downtown on State Route 39. Warther, A fifth generation carver of Swiss heritage, is continuing his family’s legacy with his extraordinary carvings depicting the History of the Ship. Come see what happens when the plain life, the not-so-plain life, and the downright extravagant life all meet together in The Confession, a live theater production at the Carlisle Inn at Sugarcreek. The first theatrical season of Half-Stitched is underway. It tells the story of a group of mismatched strangers attending an Amish Quilting Club. There is so much to see and do in the village. Go to www.visitsugarcreek.com for more information about Sugarcreek, Ohio. Finders Keepers is located at 100 E. Main St. Reach them by phone at 330-284-6799.


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