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By Karen Fetter
Would you like to go beyond
ordinary when you shop?
Do you like finding unique
gifts for family and
friends? If so, then
the place for you is Cia’s,
a gallery of fine jewelry,
gifts, and art. Cia’s
(pronounced “cee az”) is a
new retailer located in the
Irwin Plaza on Route 30,
approximately ½ mile west of
the PA Turnpike at Irwin.
Be the talk of the town with
items from Cia’s.
Custom Jewelry and Unique
Designs
Cia’s upscale gallery has
fine jewelry including gold,
diamonds, gems, and silver
along with trendy imported
designs and beaded styles
that compliment all budgets.
Recently, the gallery has
added more silver pieces and
imported pieces from
Morocco. In addition,
the gallery carries items
from local jewelry artist
Mary Beth Carlson that
incorporate washed up gems
(beach glass).
The gallery offers limited
edition jewelry designs that
are handmade so no one
person will ever have the
same piece. Jewelry
designer Anthony Mock can
customize any piece of
jewelry as well as redesign
dated jewelry into new
keepsakes.
“We tried to pick things
unique to the market and
currently are exploring
other finds,” said co-owner
Maria Brady. Maria
along with husband Ed and
best friends Allan and Cindy
Carr are the owners of the
Gallery.
Original Paintings,
Hand-Made Accessories,
Designer Handbags
So much of what Cia’s offers
is unique and that is what
makes the store so different
from others. In
addition to jewelry, the
gallery also offers a wide
range of art pieces.
You’ll find original oil and
watercolor paintings.
Among the more unusual
offerings are works by local
dentist Dr. William
Benedetti that are created
using a dental medium.
Dr. Benedetti truly has a
style all his own.
Also showcased in the
gallery are handcrafted
glass sculptures and
hand-painted silk scarves.
Cheryl Kirsch is the artist
that hand paints scarves,
cards, and accessories.
One piece in particular that
draws attention is the
Protection Psalm painted
onto a pillowcase.
Cia’s is also an exclusive
retailer in the Irwin area
for the decorative Mary
Frances Handbag collection.
These handbags are exquisite
and never go unnoticed.
Looking for a gift?
Cia’s offers Bulova clocks
and watches, Asfour and
Swarovski crystal items,
Waterford accessories,
jewelry boxes, personalized
gifts, and corporate/logo
gifts.
Take the time to stop in
Cia’s because you will not
only find unique,
well-designed jewelry,
artwork, and gifts, you’ll
make new friends with the
personable owners and staff.
The gallery is typically
open Tuesday, Wednesday, and
Friday from 10 –5 p.m.,
Thursday from 10 – 6:30 p.m.
and Saturday from 10 – 4
p.m. Look for extended
holiday hours. Gift
certificates are available.
For more information contact
724-864-9828 or visit
www.ciasgallery.com.
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A Store of Friendship
As appealing as the store
inventory is the tale of how
the store was created.
It’s not too often that you
hear a story about great
friends whose journey
through life brings them
into business together.
However, the story behind
the strong relationships of
Maria, Ed, Allan, and Cindy
goes back to high school.
Ed and Maria met while they
attended Serra Catholic High
School. Allan and
Cindy both attended
McKeesport High School.
After graduation, Ed and
Maria went to Penn State
University together and
started dating. Allan
and Cindy parted ways, but
Allan always stayed
connected with Ed and Maria.
In fact, the Brady’s are
godparents to Allan’s
youngest son and Allan is
the godfather to the Brady’s
youngest daughter.
Fate decided to step in and
bring Allan and Cindy back
together over a year ago and
they recently got married.
This coincided with Ed and
Maria’s idea of taking over
the Direct Jewelry Outlet
store that was being retired
by Max and Shirley Sandala.
It was during a visit to the
store to buy earrings for
her daughter Rachael that
Maria learned of the new
business opportunity.
Ed and Maria currently own a
full-service advertising
agency, Marakae Marketing,
Inc. (www.marakae.biz)
and thought that buying the
store would be a great
opportunity for a storefront
for their business, in
addition to expanding the
inventory of the jewelry
store. Despite some
roadblocks at the beginning,
the Brady’s knew it was
meant to be when the offer
to buy the business came
through.
Immediately, the Brady’s
looked to the Carr’s for a
joint venture so all of
their talents could be
combined to help make the
store a success. The
friends took over the store
March 16, 2007 and within
just a few weeks were able
to perform all the
renovations and open the
doors to Cia’s Gallery.
This accomplishment was
achieved even when three of
the four partners were
working full-time. And
because everything is a
combined effort, the name is
combination of Cindy’s and
Maria’s names creating Cia’s.
“It’s been very rewarding
working with friends because
we share the same values and
we also enjoy promoting the
talents of local artists.
We can fulfill the needs of
multiple budgets and
tastes,” said Cindy.
For more information contact
724-864-9828 or visit
www.ciasgallery.com.
The gallery is typically
open Tuesday, Wednesday, and
Friday from 10 –5 p.m.,
Thursday from 10 – 6:30 p.m.
and Saturday from 10 – 4
p.m. Look for extended
holiday hours. Gift
certificates are available.
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