COLUMBIA, PA — Orientiq, a new store specializing in hand-woven oriental rugs, has officially opened its doors in Columbia, Lancaster County. The grand opening celebrations took place on November 29-30, 2024, marking the transition of the business from an online-only platform to a physical retail space.
The store, located at 22 S 2nd Street, serves as both the headquarters and showroom for Orientiq, providing local customers with the opportunity to see and feel the intricately designed rugs in person. The store offers a direct connection between customers and the artisans behind the products, many of whom are Afghan and Pakistani weavers creating rugs that take months to complete.
“We’re not just selling rugs—we’re weaving connections,” shared the team at Orientiq. The business operates with a mission to support the livelihoods of artisans through near-direct trade, a model that ensures a significant portion of each sale directly benefits the weavers.
Orientiq’s founder, Chris Stoltzfus, was inspired to start the business in 2023 after a conversation in an Afghan home in Istanbul, Turkey. The company was built to showcase the beauty of traditional handmade carpets while addressing the challenges faced by the artisans who create them. “These rugs tell the stories of widows, orphans, and families striving to make a dignified living,” Stoltzfus explained. “When you own one, you are part of that story—a piece of someone’s dream.”
The store features two prominent collections—the Noorzai Collection and the Elvan Collection. The Noorzai Collection highlights Afghan rugs crafted by widows, orphans, and families overcoming hardship, while the Elvan Collection offers Turkmen carpets from Afghanistan, made using traditional designs and natural vegetable dyes. Each rug uses locally sourced wool and reflects a cultural heritage of craftsmanship passed down through generations.
Orientiq’s motto, “Weaving Hope, One Rug at a Time,” speaks to the broader mission of the business to provide economic opportunities for artisans while connecting customers with high-quality, authentic products. The opening of the Columbia store marks a significant step in Orientiq’s efforts to engage with the local community and ensure that every rug purchase makes a meaningful impact.
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