By John Rohlf
The Message assistant editor
A convert to Catholicism, Laurie Ziliak recently opened Rooted in Him, a Catholic gift shop aimed at filling a void in the Tri-State area.
After growing up in a Protestant household, Ziliak converted to Catholicism prior to getting married to her husband. Once her children began reaching the second-grade level, Ziliak wanted to find more Catholic resources for her children. While the resources she found were great, she said they were difficult to find.
“There’s just not a lot of things available in our area,” Ziliak said. “We have such a Catholic rich community in the whole Tri-State area … And it’s just been nice to be able to offer that to people here in the immediate area but in the widespread area also.”
Ziliak said there are many artistic and creative individuals who have left the workforce and gone back home to raise their children. She has made it her mission to use as many of those talented individuals as possible to bring their items to her store to make them available for others, especially those who do not have access to or use the internet.
Rooted In Him offers a variety of items for purchase in the store, including jewelry, books, journals, Bibles, prayer cards and gifts for all the sacraments. They are also doing some back to school customized pencil pouches and prayer coins for both students and teachers. Ziliak said they have a wide variety of items to help individuals remember their faith.
“I try to carry the products that would be expected,” Ziliak said.
This includes visor clips, which she said there has been a demand for since opening the store.
Ziliak stressed she tries to keep items in the store that will help anyone trying to grow their relationship with God.
“While we have a very Catholic presence obviously in this, we try to make sure we have things in here that will fulfill anyone who is trying to grow their relationship with God no matter where they are in that process,” Ziliak said.
Ziliak said one of her highlights since opening the store has been working with and learning from her customers. The customers come from all different walks of life and life events, she said.
“I have loved meeting people,” Ziliak said. “Getting to know people. Especially having the opportunity to spend time with people who are just on fire for God and so thirsty for these products. That has been really unique to see.”
When the store first opened this past December, Ziliak treated it as a very soft opening. She stressed they had limited space and did not know what to expect.
“It did not slow down until after Mother’s Day,” Ziliak said. “We were shocked. I mean constantly reordering. Constantly trying to make sure we have things in … We finally have gotten through that first big six month rush through the spring sacraments.”
Ziliak said they used the summertime to get things back in stock for the fall, as well as the upcoming Christmas season and sacraments.
Rooted in Him is open five days per week. They are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Rooted in Him at Daylight Management is located at 362 E. State Route 68, Haubstadt, IN 47639.
For more information, visit the Rooted in Him at Daylight Land Management Facebook page. The store can also be reached by phone at 812-499-7230.