Date: Fri 03-Oct-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

Peter's-Imports-business

Full Text:

Peter's Imports: Not Your Average Crafts Store

(with photo)

BY DOROTHY EVANS

Who ever said shopping can't be fun?

The key might be taking a little extra time and going somewhere you don't

usually go - north to Brookfield or south to Norwalk.

In either town, customers may visit Peter's Imports, a store that is filled

with an amazing array of gifts, seasonal decorations and home accessories.

Owner Peter Robidoux promises his customers they will find something of value

to suit every taste, "making a house your own."

"We're different from your average craft store because we offer decorative

items that you can customize," said Mr Robidoux as he took a visitor around

his Brookfield store, a spacious and bright 12,000-square-foot warehouse

located just north of the Four Corners.

"We watch our overhead very carefully and we order in quantity," he added.

"That's why we can offer low prices and good value."

Before opening Peter's Imports, Mr Robidoux had spent 15 years as merchandise

buyer for a large chain and had traveled extensively in Asia.

"I was lucky to know the market and the product before I started," he said.

As a result of this experience and because he wants to tailor his inventory to

fit the New England market, he has left no stone unturned in his search for

unique and attractive items to put on his shelves.

Every Taste And Season

Almost anything you can imagine, it seems that Peter's Imports has it.

How about a tiki torch to keep the bugs away? A glass vase in a wrought iron

stand for floating candles? Straw scarecrows with corn stalk bodies?

A wicker basket in the shape of a cornucopia? Waverly pillows? A pizza stone?

Then there are household accessory staples, such as rugs and floor coverings,

candles and candlesticks, dried flowers and wreath forms, Waverly cushions.

These can always be found at Peter's Imports, but the seasonal decorations are

what Mr Robidoux prefers to display up front because, he admits, they move so

quickly.

"People don't have the time today to make a scarecrow, for instance. Yet these

are attractive and still have that hand made appeal," Mr Robidoux said.

He pointed to a double aisle of Halloween ghouls, witch and scarecrow door

decorations, lawn guys and ceramic pumpkin planters.

But if you had come to Peter's Imports over the summer, he added, you would

have seen wicker furniture and outdoor entertainment items.

"Right now Christmas is in the back room. In a few weeks, we'll be moving that

out," he added.

Another feature Peter's Imports offers is the ability to shrink wrap any gift

combination that customers put together in one of the many different wicker

baskets that are always on display.

"If you're looking for a little entertainment, a little fun, come visit us.

You're bound to find something you want," Mr Robidoux said.

Peter's Imports stores are located at 874 Federal Road, Brookfield, 2/10 of a

mile north of the Four Corners and Christopher's Restaurant (775-5627), and at

15 Cross Street in Norwalk, 7/10 of a mile south of Stew Leonard's on Route 1

(203/840-0769). Both are open seven days a week.