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Tuesday, 30 June 2009 |
 Amador County – What began 14 years ago as a custom lampshade business for Plymouth resident Pat Park is wrapping up July 31st on Main Street in Downtown Jackson. Park is retiring from her shop, Shady Lady Lamps, Gifts & Collectibles, after a 14-year run in Amador County, including 12 years on Main Street in Jackson. Park said last week that she “enjoyed being in business in Jackson. It’s just time to retire.” Park said she enjoyed coming in to work every day, and meeting people, but she said it is time for a change, time “to quit working and enjoy life.” She started in business making custom lampshades, hence the name, “Shady Lady.” She said her lampshades were unique, and specific to the person for whom she made them. In 1995, she opened Shady Lady Lamps, Gifts & Collectibles at the Amador Hotel in Amador City. It was a small operation with not that many customers, until local business journalist Marcia Oxford wrote a story about her shop. Park said the next day, after the story came out, there was a line of people waiting at her shop’s door – little old ladies with lampshades that had been in their closets for years and needed repair. In 1996, Park moved Shady Lady to 126 Main Street in Jackson, current home of Heaven & Earth Consignment boutique. But tragedy struck in 1997, when a fire started in a residence above the shop. Park lost everything, and rebuilt, next door, at 122 Main Street, her current location. The building was owned by Lester Garibaldi, who ran a photography business and a gift shop there. She occasionally makes a custom lampshade, but her specialty has switched to china, including fine imported tea sets from England and Russia. Her good friend, Marilynn Dodge of Volcano walked into the shop 8 years ago, the day they met, and now helps out occasionally. Park is a 33-year resident of Plymouth’s Main Street, and even served a 3-year appointment on the Plymouth City Council. She served with Gene Beck, Roger Kerner, Raymond Estey and Elaine Lasich. But she left the world of politics after the term ended. Park said Shady Lady would close, unless someone bought the business from her, at the end of July. The building is owned by Jackson City Councilman Wayne Garibaldi, the late Lester’s son. The building, with a photography darkroom upstairs, is neighbored by Heaven & Earth boutique, and Syd Bartlett’s Real Deal Antiques. Story by Jim Reece
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