Wednesday, January 28, 2004
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Wednesday, January 28, 2004 |
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Cuban refugee finding her lifelong dream in Tyrone If you had dreams of owning your own business one day, how far would you go to fulfill those dreams? For Elena Durapau, the journey included a daring escape from Cuba on a makeshift raft, surviving four days on stormy waters, all to reach the United States for a chance to make her dreams come true. With the opening of Elena’s Choice Gift Shop in Tyrone, Elena says her “lifelong dream to come to the U.S. and open my own business is now a reality.” Elena’s Choice Gift Shop features a cozy showroom full of a variety of home decor items, children’s books, bird feeders, tea pots and decorative candles, to name a few of the products. “All of the items we carry are special and personally hand selected by me,” Elena says, and many of them are “humorous items designed to brighten people’s lives.” Another feature of Elena’s Choice is the wide selection of greeting cards, which are always marked at 50 percent off. With new lines arriving weekly, Elena also offers merchandise for every special occasion, and with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, her gift shop will be brimming with the perfect gifts for every sweetheart. In addition to running the newly opened gift shop, Elena is employed full time by the United States Postal Service in Tyrone. “I enjoy getting to know so many of the people on my route,” Elena says. She also looks forward to all the customers who come in her shop, both new customers and regulars. “All our clients are very special to us,” Elena says. “There are many who know and love the selection, quality and prices we have to offer. New customers are always made to feel very welcome, and we love to help them find the perfect gift from our selection.” Elena Durapau has come a long way from the raft she clung to on her way to the United States from Cuba. She hopes that through her story, she can be an example to others that those who persevere will be successful. Elena and her husband Norman have a seven year old son. Elena’s Choice Gift Shop is located at 1001 Senoia Road in Tyrone, and is open Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Call 770-632-7720 for more information |
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