Nestled comfortably inside the first floor of the newly renovated Central Hotel in Burns, you’ll find a unique collection of handmade crafts, jewelry, clothing accessories, home furnishings, and more.

Regina Dunbar is the owner of Farmshoppe: Primitive to Present, and her new endeavor is a dream come true. Dunbar’s credentials include experience in retail sales and an associate degree in interior design from the Art Institute of Las Vegas, located in Henderson, Nev.

“I’ve always wanted to open a gift shop, so this is great,” she said.

Dunbar’s goal for the shop is to offer items “from the historical homestead to the modern homestead.” Long-range goals include having a larger space to allow for selling locally-grown fruits and vegetables, as well as furniture and bedding.

Farmshoppe: Primitive to Present opened on July 2, and the response from the community has been a welcoming one.

“It’s gone better than I thought it would,” Dunbar said. “I want to offer an experience, not just a gift shop. The quaint and cozy, eclectic, unique items.”

Dunbar stated she does a lot of research to find the products for her business, finding companies that offer something special, as well as artists’ one-of-a-kind works.

When asked how she goes about selecting wares for her store, she answered, “I mostly go with my gut

feeling. I want to bring in something that nobody’s seen before.”

Dunbar also puts together gift baskets for those needing that “special something.”

Another charm of the store is the Dunbar’s 2-year-old daughter, Keelyn, a constant presence in the store who provides friendly greetings and conversation for visitors.

Dunbar’s appreciation for the more primitive culture was partially inspired by the time her husband, Kyle, took her to a black powder rendezvous.

“I was hooked,” she said. “It was a simpler way of life, and I love that. Trying to create a simpler time in a world of technology.”

Dunbar’s young son, Wade, also loved the rendezvous activities, and when the Dunbars lost him in an accident two years ago, his memory became a driving force to keep the old customs, crafts, and cultures alive. She pointed out items that date back to the fur trade era and handiwork perfected centuries ago by Native Americans.

Dunbar said she would like to add craft kits to her inventory, such as moccasins and bead work to help people learn how to work with their hands.

The Dunbars themselves have demonstrated a knack for creativity, as Kyle makes knives, decorative metal works, and does woodworking, while she has shown a proficiency for bead work.

“I was fascinated by the Native American bead work and always wanted to do it,” she said.

An experienced bead worker gave her a quick lesson and declared her “a natural”, and she ran with it.

“My goal is to offer items that make your home more comfortable, a comfortable sanctuary,” she said.

Whether it’s something special for a gift or as an addition to your own abode, Farmshoppe: Primitive to Present offers a number of great ideas.

Farmshoppe: Primitive to Present is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.