Down a little gravel road off the 3rd Avenue viaduct in Marshalltown, sits a store filled with one-of-a-kind furniture and knick-knacks.

Rustic Relics, owned and operated by Stacy Roberts, started as a hobby with Roberts refurbishing furniture and collecting vintage furnishings, with the help of a close friend. She turned her artistic endeavor into an in-home business, operating Rustic Relics out of her garage the last two years. Recently, she moved her inventory into a larger space on 702 South 3rd Ave as a way of showcasing more products and putting more distance between the business and her personal space.

Roberts hunts for her merchandise on Facebook, in shops, at garage sales and through consignment. If the item looks unique, Roberts wants it for her store.

Rustic Relics is filled with tables, desks, chairs, lamps, pillows, pictures and home furnishings. The items range from rustic and rural themes to Old Hollywood glamor, Americana imagery and romance-inspired decor.

Rustic Relics is the first business Roberts has run, as she is employed at Central Iowa Physio and worked for the hospital nearly 30 years.

“I’m nervous, but my twin brother Steve Slifer has been my mentor,” Roberts said.

Juggling two careers and being a mother of three has led to sleepless nights and personal sacrifices.

“It’s hard. I don’t sleep or eat much sometimes trying to get it all in,” she said.

However, husband Tony and sons Jake, 24, Joseph, 22, and Evan, 14, are all supportive of Roberts’ entrepreneurial spirit.

“Everyone is very helpful. I’m thankful I have boys that help with all the furniture lifting, and there’s a lot of it,” Roberts explained.

Roberts said her home is decorated in a rustic fashion, but she is careful not to bring too much stuff home with her.

“I’m good about not cluttering my house much. Sometimes I even think could I take something from the house [to put in the store?]”

Rustic Relics is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Roberts plans to expand store hours later this month to include Mondays and Fridays from 12-4 p.m. For more information, contact Roberts at 641-751-8748.