Artifacts returns to Monterey

After three years of planing and dreaming, Artifacts is returning to Monterey.

Julie Egel and Larry Qubeck opened their store at a new location across the highway from the Monterey Market.

Egel said they love to travel and would bring crafts back from their travels. They wanted to start a store where they could sell their finds. The store will also feature hand-made brooms, pottery, clothing and artwork. In the summer they will sell organic produce.

“I love to garden, and I love high quality produce,” Egel said.

She said it is important for local farmers and gardeners to have a place to sell their crops.

The store opened the day of the Monterey fair. They will be open from 11 a.m. until dusk every weekend until Christmas.

The store was originally the Monterey Trading Post in Monterey, but when the highway was rerouted about 10 years ago, the store had to close.

The new store took three years to build. Qubeck worked as a truck driver. Egel said he would work on the store until they ran out of money, and then he would have to hit the road again.

Egel works as “an English as a second language” teacher and as a translator. She said they will continue to work during the week and open the store on weekends.