Beau Haddock      Toll free: (888) 592-7238 (KY CRAFT), Ext. 4817

Mulberry Junction, a Kentucky Collection retail gift store in Madisonville, Kentucky, was selected as a pilot store in 2002 to test market Kentucky products.  Prior to its annual holiday open house, Mulberry Junction, will host a special invitation-only premiere, "Seven Years of Making Friends." Kentucky Collection foods will be featured such as Southern Delight Gourmet Food of Bowling Green, Simply Kentucky Jam Cakes, and Woodford Reserve bourbon ball candy.

Other Kentucky Collection gifts, all hand made by Kentucky producers, will be featured during the holiday open house scheduled for Friday, November 12, 10 am- 5 pm and Saturday, November 13, 9 am-3 pm (CST).  Refreshments will be provided while shoppers select from new holiday gifts lines. The store is located at 344 East Center Street, Madisonville.

"I am terribly excited, both for my business and the city of Madisonville.  A lot of the people in our store are gift buyers, especially from other parts of the country. I sell a lot of the Kentucky Collection products and each year for the past seven years we have taken the opportunity to say thanks to our customers that turn into friends,” said Val Dreusicke, owner of Mulberry Junction. 

The Kentucky Collection is a project of the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program, a division of the Kentucky Arts Council, Commerce Cabinet.  Products in the Collection represent quality, moderately priced Kentucky crafts, visual arts, foods, books and music that are available for sale in selected retail venues around the state. Vendors are selected through an application process from the participants of the partner groups, which include the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Arts Council, and the Kentucky Book Fair.

Kentucky is known nationally for high-quality crafts, visual art, food, books, and music that reflect the Commonwealth’s unique flavor, culture and traditions, and these items can make very personal and meaningful gifts.  “Giving a gift from Kentucky sends a special message to the receiver, supports our in-state businesses, and the state’s economy”, says Nancy Atcher, who coordinates the Kentucky Collection Project.

For more information about the Kentucky Collection, please contact Nancy Atcher, Product Development Coordinator, 1-888-592-7238, ext. 4816 or visit the Program's site at:  www.kycraft.ky.gov

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Since 1981, the Craft Marketing Program's mission is to develop the state's craft industry, support and empower Kentucky artisans and craftspeople, create an economically viable environment for craft entrepreneurs, preserve the state's craft traditions, stimulate and support product development, and generate public awareness, public support and public/private partnerships.

The Program provides assistance to Kentucky residents, individuals, or groups wanting to develop as craft professionals through economic opportunities and training, to other outside entities (e.g., craft retailers, craft and art organizations, community and government agencies), and the general public. The craft industry in Kentucky contributes 252 million dollars in annual sales and Kentucky is recognized as a model state for its craft programs and its role in the $14 billion national craft industry.