Originally published Saturday, August 2, 1997

By MARK HIGGINS
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Magnolia's shopping district has some gems, including Eleganza Ltd., which imports bronze, terra cotta and bonded-marble reproductions of famous European statuary. Denton and Delorez Rossell began doing business in the basement of their Magnolia home in 1979.

The Rossells now advertise in The New Yorker and Architectural Digest, prompting business from around the world. The Philadelphia Museum of Art recently made a sizable purchase of Rodin reproductions to accompany an exhibit of the artist's original sculpture, says Rossell.

The company collection ranges from affordable tabletop pieces to a 64-inch reproduction of Michelangelo's David, priced at about $6,000.

Another Magnolia shop with international clientele is Porcelain Gallery on 32nd Avenue West. The shop has an extensive collection of medium to high-end dinnerware, flatware, stemware, crystal and porcelain art figurines.

Owned and operated by Bert Lundh and his son, Steven, the shop may be better known in Tokyo, Paris and New York than in Seattle. The family recently fielded a rush order for crystal stemware from Paris. The order came in on a Monday evening and was filled, gift-wrapped, shipped and delivered by Thursday to Paris.

Bert Lundh came to Seattle from Sweden in 1949 and, after a military stint in Korea, became a general contractor. His wife, a collector of decorative dinnerware from Sweden, first spotted the opportunity for the family business.

To succeed in Magnolia as a business owner, say the Lundhs, you either have to fit a neighborhood niche or attract customers from the city or region.

Magnolia has seen good neighborhood businesses come and go over the years. The reality is that Magnolia is connected to the rest of the world by just three bridges, and not everyone has a reason to cross them, says Michael Griffin, president of the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce.

Businesses such as Now Hear This! are successful because they cater to customers willing to drive to Magnolia to find what they want, Griffin says. Owner Sue Reynolds recently found him a recording of a 1968 song, "Melinda by Bobbie Taylor and The Vancouvers. It's a record he has tried and failed to find for 15 years.