 |
| Public domain. |
by Glenn Franco Simmons
On a blustery day in Virginia City with skies stubbornly dry, I ducked into one of my favorite haunts, Rustic Rope N’ Treasures (145 S. C Street #A).
This cozy little shop brims with outsized tales of ranch life: weathered pelts, cherished family heirlooms, a children’s rocking chair that was once the owner’s grandmother’s, a vintage movie projector owned by her grandpa, and countless other gems that whisper of Western grit and history (if my memory serves me correctly).
Curious, I later browsed the shop’s website, and the online shop truly represents the owner, Cheri Langus’ artistic skills, but also provides a glimpse of what’s in the physical store, and there is much, much more.
 |
| When I took this photo, Cheri said she would be getting more Charlie Kirk-themed knives in. They may have have arrived. Check out the shop! CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. |
Cheri told me she and her husband George served in the Nevada Air National Guard for 26 years. (Thank you both for your service!)
 |
| There is more than merchandise in Rustic Rope N' Treasures. There are stories. Family histories. Treasure hunts. Ranching life. Western lore. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. |
On the website, Cheri said she moved to Nevada in 1975 and retired from the NV Air National Guard after 20 years’ service.
“I live & love to ride my horses,” she said, adding that she’s “active in the Reno Rodeo, riding on the Flag team. Love to ride with our friends on their ranches working cows.”
On the website, George noted that he retired from service after 26 years.
 |
They’ve also been married more than 30 years!
On a Yelp site in the owner’s section, Cheri wrote, “We began collecting our Western pieces for our house; well, that passion turned into an addiction. Before we knew it, we had 3, 5, 9 or more of the same items!”
Eventually, that passion graduated into staging events.
“… I started in 2013 and in 2017 I branched into trade and craft shows and really enjoyed it,” Cheri explains on her Etsy site. “George and I love the outdoors, especially while on our horses, helping our friends gather and work their cattle. We love history and there is so much out there, as many of the items we find are reflected in my work. If it’s old, damaged, forgotten, and discarded. ... chances are, it's used. We see the endless possibilities for a repurposed life in these castoffs from history. This is how it began, my obsession of history and the Western way of life.
 |
| I wonder how old that ceiling is. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. |
“Our ranching friends call me the ‘trash collector’ which is funny since we own a trash & recycling business,” Cheri continued. “As I am riding with our friends, scouting and scanning the mountains for the cows, I also scan the terrain, as there is always something to find. I will find sheds (antlers), animal skulls & rusty things which I pick up and tie on my trusty horse, Joker. Much of my materials are found in the mountains of Nevada, old ranches/homesteads, antique stores, from cowboys, etc.”
 |
| CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. |
Her store is a museum. I saw pelts, I think I remember a sled, and there are all kinds of other things. In the past, I’ve bought a sweatshirt, T-shirt and a sign the last time I was in.
But don’t think her items are limited to those. Oh, no.
On their Etsy site and in the store, they offer beautifully crafted Western items that include lariat rope vases, lariat rope platters, wreaths, wine canisters, cardholders, home décor and wedding items.
The couple’s friendliness comes across in Cheri’s explanation of the Etsy photos.
“I put a lot of thought, style, prefect imperfections, etc. into my work,” she wrote in September 2025. “I take pride into creating the perfect piece for you. I will go above and beyond in the details of the product I make and will redo if I doesn't meet my standards. In my floral items, I will make sure there are no holes, and it's fluffed.”
The Etsy photos are proof in advertising!
In journalism school, my old-school professors (almost all of whom had been real journalists, not book-taught professors) drilled into me to never, ever use “unique.” “Nothing is unique,” they would thunder! “NOTHING!”
Well, many of Cheri’s items are one-of-a-kind and unique.
“Any rope items that do not have a tub, glass/ceramic vases, etc., is freestyle, I do not have a mold for any shape rope product,” she explained. “They are all done by hand, which allows for imperfectly perfect products.
“All of the items listed have SOLD at trade shows, made for family, gifted to friends, or donated for non-profits for their raffles to help raise money, or they were sold in the store. … I can show the variations of my work; what I can make, what I can do and to give you an idea of what I can do.
“I will create another in similarity. I can't do an exact. So, the item will be similar. This applies to wreaths, wrapped items and all rope products. Some items are literally a ‘one-of-a-kind’ and I will not have the ability to reproduce.”
The floral and fluff items she uses are seasonal, making those products even more special.
Becky W. wrote a 5-star review about Cowboy Hondo Card Holders, “Just what my husband was looking for.” About the same item, Sandra wrote, “Love it Love it Love it!” and gave it a 5-star rating.
“Cheri is so talented, a great communicator, just absolutely wonderful!” Courtney wrote about a Ranch Rope Canister. “Came to me perfectly packaged and and exceeds my expectations! This will be a treasured piece for many years to come. I couldn’t be happier, and I highly recommend Cheri and her business! You won’t be disappointed!”
Regarding a beautiful Western Christmas wreath, Kela wrote, “LOVE LOVE LOVE my wreath! Cheri is excellent to work with really takes pride in her work. My wreath came out better than I could have imagined! Great communication and by far the best wreaths on Etsy! ❤️❤️❤️”
 |
| Rustic Rope N’ Treasures. |
 |
| Rustic Rope N’ Treasures. |
 |
| Rustic Rope N’ Treasures. |
 |
| All photos on this post CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. |
On a recent stormy day, I walked Virginia City, Nev.’s boardwalks and discovered Maddy’s Place, where families and individuals can join in on family friendly candle-making and more.
The friendly shopkeeper explained how hard her family had worked to prepare the family run business that was not occupied by a business in years.
In fact, if you look at Maddy’s Facebook page’s (Facebook) photos of preparing the shop, you can see how well the wooden floor took to their work. The contrast between the old and beautiful restored floor is amazing.
At the back of the shop is a mural of Engine 22 of the V&T. No one knows who painted it, so if you do, please send Maddy’s Place a note or, better yet, drop by. It is a great place to relax and smell candle aromas.
 |
| One of the sisters said it was difficult to find this historic photo of candle-making. |
“We are three sisters that want to help you create your own relaxing environment,” states their Facebook page’s intro.
The sisters’ Shopify page is worth a look. They certainly have a range of products and supporting local businesses is important. Plus, Christmas is coming up!
Maddy’s Place patrons had the same pleasant experience I had with the staff friendliness:
“We took our teenage daughter there today,” says one comment on the Facebook page. “She had the most amazing experience. The woman was so helpful & fun. We enjoyed the whole experience. My daughter hasn’t stopped talking about how fun it was! Definitely recommend. Would be so fun for a Birthday party no matter how old or young. The retail part is super cute too.”
 |
| Put Maddy's Place on your Christmas list! All kinds of fragrances and possibilities. |
“Maddy’s Place is a must-visit in Virginia City!” another person wrote. “It’s incredibly cute and inviting — perfect for events, girls’ nights, or just a fun outing. You can make your own candles, diffusers, and more, which makes the experience so memorable and hands-on. I definitely recommend stopping by!”
I will ask for more information about the candles and other products that can be made there on my next visit. And I will take photos of the candle-making process.
I liked the old-time children’s toys that were available. There was the old-fashioned magnetic roller and paddle-ball, plus some others. They are perfect time-consumers for children. They also make perfect gifts and you are supporting a local business.
 |
| If you know who painted this mural, please contact Maddy's Place. |
“Stumbled upon this place yesterday and dipped a candle. Loved it so much I went back today and dipped another. lol Very fun and creative.”
Maddy’s was under The Roasting House Coffee Shop prior to the new location. It is not located, according to its FB page, at 66 N C St. in Virginia City. Phone them at (775) 508-1613; email, Maddysplace.sales@gmail.com.
 |
| This is a great place for some inexpensive quality toys. Stocking stuffer possibilities. |
 |
| Lady Justice with eyes wide open in this Wild West Comstock Lode outpost. |
I decided to launch a new blog dedicated entirely to Virginia City, a place that captured my heart during my first visit in 1990, because I love its history, lore and cultural influences.
Whenever I'm in Virginia City in spring, summer and fall, I feel the vibrations of not only motorcycles on C street, but also some pretty cool trucks and cars of all types and ages. So, I thought of "vibes" in that sense, to represent Virginia City's vitality today. I added "& The Comstock Lode" to memorialize a significant era in American history in my blog title.
Far from being confined to generalizations and stereotypes, I've found Virginia City to be a place of independent, freedom-loving Americans of many persuasions. And I haven't met one who hasn't been friendly.
In my archives, I have years of photos, and many stories already written but not published. I'm often in Virginia City at least monthly, if not weekly or more, even in heavy winter snow. That's how much I love it.
I'd live there, if I could.
While I already run a blog titled Silver State Backroads, I felt Virginia City deserved its own space without overwhelming my other website. This new blog will allow me to focus solely on Virginia City.
I haven't been active in blogging for a few years due to family health commitments, but I've continued to photograph Virginia City. Now, I'm excited to return to blogging and share those moments.
My wife's family have been here for generations and go back to her grandpa working on the V&T!
As a child, I grew up mostly in Freshwater, Calif., a small redwood-forested valley ~ as I am fond of saying, at that time, "There were more cows than humans."
For a number of years, I was a daily and weekly small-town newspaper editor and eventually editor/publisher on The Redwood Coast.
My hope is that as I connect more with the Virginia City community — both businesses and residents — this blog will grow into something truly special, reflecting the town's unique character and my love for it. It's nothing fancy because I am not interested in monetizing it.
I calculate that if this is good enough, people will occasionally visit it.
If not, it will be a heck of a lot of fun.