West Leechburg's Kasanicky's Country Traditions to close after 17 years

The owners of Kasanicky’s Country Traditions in West Leechburg have decided to retire and close the store after 17 years selling handcrafted furniture and home accessories.

John and Margriet Kasanicky, the couple who own the store, posted a statement on Facebook Wednesday: “Due to the rising costs of lumber and wholesale prices, we have decided to close our shop. We can no longer offer reasonable prices on our merchandise. We will miss all our customers that have supported our business for 17 years.”

Margriet Kasanicky said, over the past year, the couple has been debating whether to close because of the effects covid had on business. Fewer customers have been coming, she said, or they already have what they want.

“Last year and this year, it has been sporadic because people are afraid to go out or they don’t have the money to spend,” she said.

The shop offers handcrafted, primitive country furniture and country home accessories, including cupboards, shelves or custom orders.

Traveling expenses were another factor for the Kasanickys, with gas prices increasing. The couple would spend an entire day traveling to purchase lumber and other merchandise. Most trips would take four to five hours.

“We had to weigh all that into what the inflation was on the products, and we had to make a decision,” John Kasanicky said.

The customers are who the couple will miss the most after building many relationships over the years with them.

John Kasanicky, who has been doing woodworking for 45 years, built customers’ furniture. He said some customers own 14 to 15 pieces of custom furniture he has made for them. Customers would bring pictures or sketches of what they wanted, and he would make it happen.

“They really enjoyed it. All the furniture I built for them,” he said. “I don’t think I ever had someone who was not happy with my product.”

The wearing out of his tools over time was another element the couple had to consider. Spending money on new tools to garner profit did not seem feasible. “The prices today are outlandish,” he said.

The couple looks forward to relaxing after years of work.

“Both of us are in our mid-70s. It is time. There are some health issues coming, and we would like to relax for a little bit,” Margriet Kasanicky said.

Merchandise will be sold at a reduced price to clear the shop. A tent sale is planned for summer to sell any items left. The shop, at 1413 Main St., is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.