Shawna Roberts, owner of Quakertown Outlet, 277 E. State St., Salem, displays some of the licensed merchandise she has available for purchase, including the Ohio State tiki totem and team mascot statues she’s holding. The downtown store features a variety of products for everyone, some unique that can’t be found anywhere else in Salem. The product list includes face masks, hats, gloves, flags, toys, soaps, sanitizers, home decor, signs, scented candles, tools, clocks, tumblers and more. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Orders can also be taken in person or online at D & S Novelties on Facebook. (Salem News photo by Mary Ann Greier)

SALEM — When Shawna Roberts decided to move her business to a storefront instead of meeting online customers in area parking lots, Quakertown Products came to be last month.

The shop offering a wide range of gift items, home decor, unique products and licensed merchandise for sports teams and U.S. military is located at 277 E. State St. in downtown Salem.

As a hometown girl and 1993 graduate of Salem High School who still lives in Salem, the idea of opening a storefront business in the city meant something to her.

“When I was growing up, downtown Salem was the place to go,” she said.

She remembers all the businesses that used to be in the downtown and has noticed other merchants trying to bring the downtown back. She thought she might as well join the effort, offering some products that Salem does not have.

Roberts has a full-time job elsewhere, but started this side business about four years ago, selling at flea markets in Rogers and Hartville and online through Buy, Sell & Trade sites and through D & S Novelties on Facebook.

She decided to incorporate her hometown into the name of her storefront business.

“I feel that we offer quality products,” she said.

Quakertown Outlet offers a variety of merchandise, including face masks, ball caps, flags, winter hats for Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Ohio or just plain, gloves, socks, cell phone accessories, toys, home decor, hand soap, sanitizers, shower gel, scented candles and tools. Licensed products include U.S. Military, NFL, NCAA, MLB, NBA, offering such items as license plates, signs, clocks, blankets, tumblers, key chains, tiki totem statues and team mascot statues.

“I try to get a variety,” Roberts said.

She secures most of her merchandise from wholesale companies and makes sure her prices are cheaper. Even with the lower prices, she said she’s still able to make money while offering customers products unique to the area for less.

While stocking items for fans of the Cleveland and Pittsburgh sports teams, like the Browns and Steelers, she also carries other teams from outside the area. She’s also trying to get more Harley Davidson merchandise. She got a deal on coloring books, so she’s selling them.

The store has keychains, magnets, NFL and college team car decals, rugs and doormats, Back the Blue rugs, novelty signs, garden flags, lanyards, lapel pins, jewelry, insulated tumblers, ear buds, knives and stealth mugs that keep beverages warm or cold.

“Come and check it out,” Roberts said.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Orders can also be taken in person or online at D & S Novelties on Facebook.

Roberts relies on her friend, Deon Bowers, to help operate the store, along with her parents, Howard and Eileen Roberts, who used to have a greenhouse business in the area. Call Shawna at 330-692-1491 or Deon at 330-692-2341 for information about the business or to place orders. If an item isn’t in the store, Roberts said it can be ordered for pickup.