Grand opening of decor shop Rustica in New Hope this weekend

Rustica, the retail arm of East Coast Wholesalers, is having its grand opening this weekend at 115 S. Main St. in New Hope, offering American-made, primitive craft-style decorative items constructed largely of naturally distressed and aged wood.

Said owner Richard Shirey, “We have a 30,000 square foot arts and crafts warehouse in Pen Argyl, and most of what we sell is American-made out of restored barn words and using an Amish technique called ‘tobacco lath’ that takes 50-100 years to develop a beautiful patina.”

Indeed, Rustica is filled with tasteful bird houses, wrought iron lanterns and other powder coated pieces, and a broad array of wood-framed decorative primitives and art prints at very attractive price points. Furniture is the next planned product addition.

“I’m all about American-made products and small business,” said Shirey. “We’re actually able to help the people who make these products, and our edge right now is that shipping from China is going up. It’s worth it to come over here.

“The other night I went out to two big hobby/craft box stores, and I’m absolutely smoking their prices with American-made products that will last 40 or 50 years,” Shirey added.

Rustica can be reached at (610) 863-1965.