Egyptian Treasure Are Showcased at Lowell, Mass., store
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LOWELL, Mass., Sep 08, 2004 (The Sun – Knight Ridder/Tribune
Business News via COMTEX) — Mohammed “Moody” Eltobgi was an Egyptian
businessman for many years. So when he came to the United States in
1995 and worked in restaurants, he yearned to run his own business.
He combined a love for handcrafted goods and business knowledge to
open Moody’s Buried Treasures at 66 Merrimack St.
He imports hand-blown, hand-painted glass, hand-carved alabaster and
a hand-painted brass plates, all made by craftsmen in his native Egypt.
When visiting his homeland, he makes a point to seek out craftsmen
in villages who can no longer afford to work in places like Cairo.
“I love art, I love to see these people working,” he said. “They are
going out of business because of machine shops.” Eltobgi can buy many
of these goods cheaply, but prices vary. A hand-painted perfume bottle
is $5. Earrings are $4. An alabaster candelabra is $45. A handmade
belly-dancing costume is $300.
He also carries Avon products at the request of customers who
frequented the former business located at the address, the Lil’
Avon Boutique.
He runs the store with his wife, MaryGayle. The couple lives in Lowell.
“All my life I’ve been in business, and I believe we will get bigger,”
he said.
Eltobgi plans another trip soon to add to his inventory, possibly to
Romania or Armenia, on his continued search for handmade goods.
By Rebecca Lipchitz
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