Stratton store serves eclectic tastes

Family, friends and members of the Stratton, Nebraska, Chamber of Commerce welcome "The Jewell" to the Stratton business community. Chamber representatives Dolores Burk, left, and Pat Egle, on Dolores's left, (as well as Lorrinda Cheatham on the right end of the ribbon) presented The Jewell co-owners Ronnie Ann Richardson, right, and Justine Richardson with an engraved plaque during a ribbon-cutting Saturday, June 13. Inside, Ronnie shows her granddaughter, 6-year-old Addy, how to run the antique cash register. Looking on is shopper Bobbi Kirkpatrick of Broken Bow, right, and Ronnie's and Justine's sister-in-law, Shelly Richardson.

STRATTON, Neb. -- Ronnie Ann's decorating style is time-worn; paint colors are soft and muted, chipped and scuffed from years of wear-and-tear.

Justine's favorite style is more modern, less "shabby chic."

The two sisters-in-law and friends, Ronnie Ann Richardson and Justine Richardson, combined their two aesthetics and the result is an eclectic shop in Stratton, Nebraska, called "The Jewell," with a side-line called "Re-Imagined Antiques."

Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette

The building itself is an antique -- a former gas station -- that the two women "re-imaged" after Ronnie's husband, Joel, purchased the property for his business. It's right on Highway 34 through town, so the easy access and the charming dusty teal/turquoise and mocha brown colors are the perfect lures for travelers and shoppers.

The inviting Depression-era screen door hints at the shop's offerings -- hand-made crafts, art, crocheted gifts, wine accessories, antique and collectible furniture pieces that the two women have painted and well, yes, "re-imagined."

Both woman say they have been deeply influenced by their mothers' and grandmothers' artistic abilities; the shop is named for Ronnie Ann's grandmother, Jewell Barnett.

Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette

Ronnie and Justine plan to expand into what was once the mechanic's bay for wine sales and wine tastings.

The Jewell is open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday shoppers are encouraged to call first, to ensure that Ronnie and Justine are in the shop and aren't out shopping for new/old inventory. The shop number is (308) 276-2240. Ronnie's and Justine's cell phone numbers are (308) 882-6593 and (308) 340-9524.