When customers step into Lizindo Imports,
just off the Fayetteville Downtown Square, they are greeted by a friendly
soft-spoken New Zealander, Liz Crone. Liz is the kind of women that motored her cycle through rice fields, and along crowded narrow streets of Bali to secure the one-of-a-kind, handcrafted goods she sells.
Though a native of Christ Church, New Zealand, Bali is where her heart lies, Liz says. Once a year she heads to the tiny volcanic island off the coast of Indonesia, returning to Fayetteville approximately six weeks later with products representing the excellence of Balinese handicraft and culture.
It's a magical island," Liz says. "There are over twelve thousand islands that make up Indonesia, but Bali is the only Hindu island, and it's a very spiritual place. My life changed after my first trip to Bali.
In 1994 Liz, along with her son Ian Dickie, launched Lizindo Imports selling at Springfest, Autumfest, and festivals in New Orleans and Memphis. In 1998 they opened their first showroom on the corner of Mountain Street and Church Avenue. Lizindo is now permanently located at it's present site, 241 West Mountain, two blocks west of the ton square. Liz says business has been great, attributing part of the increased traffic to Uncle Gaylord's Restaurant, and the new Fayetteville Public Library located one block west of Lizindo.
Liz and Ian purchase one-of-a-kind pieces of excellent quality. "You can buy the gamut," Liz says. "You can find poorly done items and extremely well-crafted goods. I go for the top of the line. You get an eye for what's good, learning from experience, and you also get to know your craftspeople.
Every year shoppers are delighted to walk into Lizindo to see new discoveries. Lizindo carries high quality items; one of kind furniture, carvings, jewelry, hand-painted batik silk sarongs, wooden bowls, and other handcrafted items. In 2006 a new children's section was added to include one of kind hand painted toys, and furniture.
According to one local shopper, "Lizindo prices are better then anyone else's carrying comparable goods, and Liz is a delightfully independent person with remarkable taste."