Chesapeake Style Online

Spring 2013 23
Style Spotlight~A Treasure Trove for Everyone!
By Liz Huegel
Traveling on Mary Ball
Highway through
Lively, is usually an
uneventful excursion
unless your destination
is shopping the multitude of goodies
at Calico Jack’s on the north side of
the tiny village. Your heart skips a
beat when you pull into the driveway
and feast your eyes on the distinctive
old home with a wrap-around porch
protected by the uniquely curved
awning above. To say the house
is inviting is an understatement…
you just can’t wait to get inside!
Dave and Cindy Peresluha
(pronounced paris-loo-ah) purchased
the historic old Robert O. Norris
home in 2001 with the ultimate goal
of opening their pride and joy—the
Calico Jack’s Trading Company.
ey had their eyes on the house for
years and decided they would try
to buy it if it ever became available
again. Avid treasure hunters, they’ve
been collecting assorted gems of
every genre for over 30 years.
ey enjoy the thrill of the
hunt and have travelled
all over the United States
and Nova Scotia in pursuit
of the next acquisition to
add to their collection.
For many years they sold
their wares on weekends
at ea markets and trade
shows. Finally, they have a
permanent place to display
the fruits of their labor.
Whether you are looking for antiques,
frivolous collectables, wrought iron
sculptures, furniture, nautical items
or anything in between, you will likely
nd your next treasure somewhere
on the grounds at Calico Jack’s.
In fact, if you don’t nd something
for yourself, you will surely nd
something special for friend or
relative. In addition to the three
stories of “stu” contained in the
main house—including an incredible
collection of books on the third oor,
there are four out-buildings that
contain even more treasures. A lot of
the nautical interests are located in
the outer buildings—especially the
larger items such as canoes, kayaks,
paddles, skis, boat motors, sails,
riggings and anything else maritime.
Dave is a life-long lover of all
things nautical and has worked in
the boating industry for more than 40
years. Shortly after building a home
in Virginia in the mid 1980's, Dave
met John McConnico of Lancaster
and helped to establish Boat Service
Discover Kinsale's Rich History
Kinsale Museum
Open year round
Fridays and Saturdays, 10-5
449 Kinsale Rd., Kinsale
www.kinsalefoundation.org
804-472-3001 804-450-7651
Associates—a full service repair
facility at Yankee Point Marina.
During this time Dave and Cindy
acquired the store’s
namesake, the Calico
Jack, a smaller version
of the Chesapeake
Bay Skipjack that is so
well known to locals
on the shores of the
Chesapeake Bay. A
replica of their skipjack,
crafted by Bruce Gibbs,
a friend of the family,
sits proudly on one of
the display cabinets
in the main part of the house.
Interestingly, the Calico Jack was
one of the rst participants in the
annual Turkey Shoot Regatta that
is held to support Hospice Care in
the Northern Neck. Dave continues
to race in the regatta, but now
ventures out in his new love, the
Charlotte Amelia that he co-owns
with Barr Brooks. Amused, Dave
sports a slight grin as he refers to
Brooks as the "Commodore for Life"
at Merry Point Yacht Club. Never
heard of it? Don’t worry, you’re
not alone. But you can ask Dave
when you visit the store if you’re
curious…he’ll be happy to explain.
It wasn't until Dave retired that
Calico Jack's Trading Company was
established. Even though they’ve
been in business for twelve years,
Dave continues to
retain a faithful client
base for his services as
an American Boat and
Yacht Council (ABYC)
Master Technician.
e original Calico
Jack has moved on,
but memories of the
boat are kept alive
with the nautical
merchandise that
remains a focal
point of their shop. After the thrill
of the buy, the best part of their
business is the people they meet in
the store. A customer might come
in as a stranger, but they are often
friends by the time they leave. And
it’s easy to see why…Dave and Cindy
are a delightful couple who make
people feel welcome and at home.
Don’t be surprised if they oer
you a cup of coee or tea, or a
bottle of cold water. at’s their
style—they want to make their
guests feel welcome. Calico Jack’s
Trading Company is open 11 a.m. to
4 p.m. Friday, thru Sunday, April to
mid-December. Call 804-296-4350
and check their Facebook page.
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