Despite the slew of hand-made welcome signs covering the Classics and Country gift shop at 8365 Richmond Highway, not everyone realizes the treasures inside.

But once the shoppers stop in, says owner Andrea Ploutis, they always come back. "They think it's heaven," she said.

Three times a year Andrea and her daughters scour the United States, looking for the very best in Americana-themed crafts. They browse the country so their customers don't have to. "We look for unusual things," Andrea said. "We try to have things that are one of a kind."

Each corner of the Classics and Country shop carries a different famous line of collectibles, from framed photos to cloth, wooden and porcelain dolls. Americana-themed prints, calendars, windchimes and teapots are scattered throughout the store. Gifts for teachers, including flowered stationary, are on hand. Stop by the Christmas room all year-round. Tucked away, but not at all hard to find, this shop is an indispensable resource for absolutely every collector. "Stuff you can't find at Hallmark," Andrea said.

This is a place to check into often to track new additions and subtractions from numerous lines of high-quality collectibles. Andrea and her daughters know every inch of the store, constantly updating inventory. Literature from each line is on hand to keep consumers aware of related items or the history of the treasure they've found.

Spread over two jam-packed floors, this store's wares deserve to be browsed for hours, if just to make sure no precious buy is possibly missed. The classic and recognizable lines of crafts are endless.

For instance, Classics and Country is a great place to find old-fashioned "Yankee Candles" in scents such as Tangerine, Mountain Lake, Cinnamon Toast and Lavender Fields. More than forty different candles are on hand.

With the Snowbabies Friendship Club, find powder white toddlers frolicking together, lounging and gathering Christmas trees in the snow.

Look for light-houses, from New London Harbor to Montauk, New York and Assateague Island.

With Seraphim Classics, find everyone's guardian angel.

From "Boyds Bears and Friends" comes characters such as Flora Mae Berriweather -- six inches of fuzziness with a buttercup yellow cardigan and sunflower-topped matching hat. Over the years friends have included hares, tabbies and even moose. Each animal is sketched by Boyds Collection founder G.M. Lowenthal. The authenticity of each item is guaranteed by a tiny pawprint painted onto or embossed into the piece.

The Williraye Studio offers a line of surreal Americana, from students riding a giant chicken to a flag-draped statue of liberty with a cat tucked under her arm.

In each wooden "Cat's Meow Village" creation from Faline Fry Jones, famous and historic buildings like the Appomattox Manor, the Mclean House and Fort Sumter are painted by hand. Look close for the tiny cat hidden somewhere on the grounds. Available in a limited number of locations, a 170-member team of crafts people create 3,000 different local schools, churches and city buildings to match everyone's hometown.

Make to sure to look for the latest line of frizzy-haired Lizzie High dolls, bundled up for winter, cheering for their home team or playing their favorite musical instrument.

"All God's Children" is an African American collection of angels, tots, their grandparents and historical figures who helped shape the nation. Perched on the store's display shelves are the "Daddys Long Legs" line of characters from child aviators and fireman to recent graduates and families dressed in traditional African garb.

The Squashville Village mice of "Charming Sentimentals" are too busy playing to realize how cute they are. Tumbling a yo-yo, squeezing into an innertube for a swim, roasting marshmallows or building an igloo in the snow, these mice are teaming up to entertain. The bases carry messages such as "I have a question for you," for mice with a diamond ring and "We're perfect together," for two buried in a sweater.

No matter the season, make sure to take a look at the Classics and Country Christmas room, where Department 56 village houses are waiting to be placed into a holiday display or under a waiting evergreen. Look for the quaint homes of Christmas in the City and Snow Village. Here the architecture and details, from the shingles to window dressing, make them classics. Keep your eyes open for accessories every small town needs, from evergreen trees to horse-drawn wagons to carolers. Don't forget to check the room's Christmas tree for ornaments of every sort all year-round.

Still popular Beanie Babies, both current and retired, are in stock. These include cousins such as Beanie Buddies and Pillow Pals.

Make sure not to miss the basement packed full of finds. Here pottery, old-fashioned lamps, cast iron doorstops and throw rugs are on sale. Fuzzy patch-work bears, Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, as well as stuffed frogs, cows and cats wait to be found.

Don't miss these tops collectors lines: Department 56; Yankee Candles; All God's Children; Boyd's Collection; Lizzie High Dolls; Possible Dreams; Byers Choice; Cats Meow Village; Lang Graphics; Wood Accessories; Fitz and Floyd; Daddy Long Legs; Roman Angels and so much more.

Store hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information call (703) 360-6443.