Gadgets Galore at Ivyland Kitchen Store

As the owners of the 263 Marketplace struggled to bring in enough revenue to keep the building open, one of the indoor flea market's few success stories belonged to Mary McAnally and the Ivyland Kitchen Store.

Following the marketplace's weekends only schedule, McAnally built up a strong reputation that allowed her to be one of the vendors that held on to her booth space right up until the bitter end. After two years of steady success, McAnally had the confidence to make the kitchen gadget supply business a seven-day-a-week operation.

"It was great to try it on the smaller scale," said McAnally. "Everyone seemed to like it, and now I am at a really good location."

McAnally quit her full time job and found the perfect spot to keep the business going, right next to Altomonte's Italian Market. She has seen strong foot traffic in the few weeks the store has been opened, with people looking for a full inventory of fun, useful and unique tools for the kitchen.

"The wooden cutting boards and utensils are really popular," says McAnally. "People are also interested in pasta makers and the food mills. My supplier is in Ivyland, so if there is something not on the shelf, it's easy for me to get it."

Ivyland Kitchen Store is not the only former 263 Marketplace business that managed to keep going. Old World Sausage Shop is set to open any day in Hatboro, along the same strip of shops where several other former marketplace vendors moved.

"We're all spread out, but a few of us still keep in touch," said McAnally. "A couple came in to see the store. We just didn't want to give up, even when we were forced to move out."

Ivyland Kitchen Store is located at 77 York Road, next to Altomonte's Italian Market. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, call (215) 939-8788.