Limestone ornaments are a local favorite at The Twelve Months of Christmas in Bedford, IN, which is known as the "Limestone Capital of the World." Pat Hutchinson is the store's owner.

SCD: How did you get into the Christmas business?
Pat Hutchinson: In 1996, I sold the print shop I had owned for many years. I wanted to get into a different business, but I didn't know what it should be. My husband and I even bought and remodeled a building in downtown Bedford, IN, before we knew what we would do with it. Gradually, the idea of a Christmas store developed in my mind. I went to the Atlanta show &mdash just to look. I loved it, and I walked around all day. After the showrooms closed for the day, I continued walking the hallways, looking at the windows. When I got to MeraVic, the doors were still open, they invited me in and their salespeople began showing me their line. Soon, I was filling out an order form, and my Christmas business was born.

SCD: Are you still in that store?
Hutchinson: We outgrew our first building — it was only 2,000 square feet. Then we bought a beautiful building on Bedford Square and completely redid it inside and out. We won the Chamber of Commerce beautification award. It's right on US Highway 50, and last year we had visitors from 24 states. Most of our customers, however, are local or from Bloomington, which is 18 miles away, or from Indianapolis, which is an hour-and-a-half away. Recently, three ladies from Iowa who were visiting this area for a wedding made an appointment to visit the store — I'm always open by appointment — and they spent $400.

SCD: Describe The Twelve Months of Christmas.
Hutchinson: We have 13,000 square feet of space in four stories, including the basement, which is our stockroom and my office. On the main floor, we have more than a dozen decorated trees. The largest is a 12-foot-high tree that has a sevenfoot diameter. The second floor has a balcony over the first floor. On the second floor, there are florals and greenery, gift items and Christmas cards. Our tree forest is on the third floor.

SCD: How many staffers work at The Twelve Months of Christmas?
Hutchinson: We're only open from October through January, so I have just four part-time workers. They all wanted to work here because they loved Christmas like I do. Their enthusiasm rubs off on the customers. My mom and my husband, Randy, also help out.

SCD: Who are your key suppliers?
Hutchinson: Raz, Kurt S. Adler, Inc., Department 56, North Star, MeraVic, and TJ Collection. I have more than 1,000 bears from Ganz that I sometimes give out as free gifts at events.

SCD: Does the store carry anything besides Christmas décor products?
Hutchinson: I carry some gift items, which my customers buy as Christmas presents. I sell Broadway Music Co.'s music boxes — I can't keep them in stock. Recently, Fuzzy Nation's dog purses have taken off.

SCD: What sales trends do you see right now?
Hutchinson: Santa figurines are selling well right now. Star tree toppers were unusually popular last year. Angels and plush are two categories that are not doing as well as they were.

SCD: What plans do you have for the future of The Twelve Months of Christmas?
Hutchinson: I am considering doing more decorating in homes and businesses. I truly enjoy decorating. //