The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
-by Judy Swanson, The Quill
Time & Chime/Treasure Vault
La Harpe: Lucretia McPeak is owner of Time and Chime Jewelry here in La Harpe. She, along with her husband Doug, also own the Treasure Vault next door. The adjoining stores are located on Main Street across from The First State Bank of Western Illinois.
Lucretia was raised in La Harpe and is a graduate of La Harpe High School. She attended Gem City College in Quincy and is a certified Horolgist/Jeweler.
She opened her first jewelry business on South Center Street in La Harpe on February 2, 1987, and then moved to its present location in October of 1995.
Lucretia loves to keep busy and works full-time. Her store is opened from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. until 12 noon on Saturday.
On Saturday afternoons, she will make clock calls, working on grandfather clocks in homes.
She offers many services including repairing and cleaning watches, clock and watch repair, jewelry repair, as well as hand and machine engraving.
She also sells jewelry, watches, clocks and many gift items.
The Treasure Vault side of her store houses such treasurers as antiques, collectibles and craft items.
The McPeaks opened this store in Blandinsville in July of 2000 and then moved it next door to the Jewelry store in October of 2002.
Visitors will find it quite interesting if they take time to browse through this store because of all the many fine items.
Lucretia is active in the community as well. She has been President of the Golden Rule Club off and on for 5 or 6 years. The club is a group of merchants who gather from La Harpe to discuss ways of helping the La Harpe community. There is no membership fee and all merchants are welcome and encouraged to attend, Lucretia said. The most significant event of the year which they sponsor is La Harpe Summerfest.
Lucretia and Doug live in Blandinsville and have been married for 15 years this February.
Lucretia is active in the Union Church as a member of the Hand Belles Ensemble for 10 years.
She also plays hand bells at the Methodist Church in Burlington, Iowa when they need someone to fill in. Time and Chime and the Treasure Vault are two more good reasons to live in La Harpe offering their services so residents can shop at home.
Lucretia McPeak enjoys working among her clocks and treasures along La Harpe's Main Street. February 2nd she will be starting her eighteenth year in the jewelry business.