Display at Genoa Main Street business brings back memories of how Christmas used to be
GENOA - When Randy and Tonya Carstensen were growing up, downtown Genoa was a magical place at Christmastime. Twinkling lights, animated Santas and evergreen wreaths tied with brightly colored bows created mini wonderlands in shop windows.
Now, with online shopping keeping holiday customers at home, today’s children can’t experience the magic of a small-town Christmas.
Unless they go to Genoa.
The Carstensens recreated an old-fashioned Christmas window display at their downtown Genoa business, Siglar and Sieving, which sells parts plumbing, air conditioning and heating, among other things. The couple invested countless hours and dollars into the project for one reason: They want local children to know what Christmas was like when their parents and grandparents were young.
'There's more to Christmas than presents'
“There’s more to Christmas than presents,” Tonya said. “There’s family and friends and enjoying the spirit of Christmas.”
The Siglar and Sieving holiday display at 516 Main St. can be viewed by car, but visitors are encouraged to walk up to the windows and peek in to get a better look at the details. The front showroom of the shop is filled with more than 200 pieces of holiday décor, including animated reindeer, vintage holiday ornaments and handmade snowmen.
The display features several Christmas trees, including a vintage tree that Randy’s mother purchased from JC Penney in 1979. An oversized wreath hangs in the window that his mother won several years ago when Sears was in the Woodville Mall.
Items hail back to stores now long gone
“We have pieces from The Andersons and Kmart and other stores that are no more,” Tonya said.
A memory bench sits amongst the décor as a memorial to Tonya’s dad, Leon Maix, who died on Dec. 30, 2022, and to Randy’s dad, Gary Carstensen, who died just a few weeks later on Jan. 17, 2023.
“Both of our parents loved Christmas,” Tonya said. “Some of the things in here were made by our dads. His dad made the big snowman, and my dad made the carousel.”
Some decorations connected to family memories
Many of the pieces are tied to family memories. A smiling snowman was purchased by Tonya for her father when he became ill, and a set of wooden trees were made by Randy in his dad’s memory.
“My dad and I used to make crafts for the season, so I made the trees in his honor,” Randy said.
Gary Carstensen began working at Siglar & Sieving in 1967, and he purchased the business in 1994. While rummaging through the back of the shop, Randy discovered an old wooden ladder that was likely there when his father became owner of the business. Randy cut it down and added holiday decorations. Now, it sits in the corner of a window.
“It’s from at least the '60s,” Randy said.
Visitors can spot a small ceramic truck filled with mints that Randy’s sister purchased in honor of their father shortly after his death, and Tonya purchased a Christmas decoration featuring the Budweiser Clydesdales because it reminds her of her parents.
“My parents and I always went to see the Clydesdales at the fair,” she said.
The Carstensens have been building the display since 2016, and now the entire showroom is full of holiday décor.
“We really enjoy Christmas and love sharing it,” Randy said. “Kids need to know what Christmas was like when we were little.”
Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Clinton News Herald: Carstensens create Christmas magic and memories in their Genoa shop
