FORT ASHBY - While visiting Ye Olde Homestead in Fort Ashby - the  gift shop that prides itself in being the first shop of its kind in the Tri-State area - customers are not only be greeted with stores clerks, but also with a purr from a dear old feline - that's Sweetheart.

The 23-year-old black tomcat is celebrating his birthday at an open house next week.

"This will be the first birthday party we've had for him since we've had him," said Alma Frase, owner of Ye Olde Homestead. "I thought around Valentine's Day would be the perfect time to celebrate his birthday because he's such a sweetheart."

The almost two-and-a-half decade-old cat was found by Frase's son, Greg, in an old, abandoned trailer on Big Savage Mountain in 1990.

After a visit to the veterinarian, the cat was estimated to be five years old at the time he became the Frases' pet.

With three cats at home and two German shepherds, providing strays with a loving home is something commonplace to the Frase's.

"He's just a lovable cat," said Frase. "We don't care what they are; they all need homes."

Frase believes that strays are stronger and live longer than pedigree animals.

"It seems like the ones that are taken in are stronger and don't get sick as much," she said. "Pedigrees don't get through things. They're always getting something."

Living at the shop, Sweetheart stays at the store at night and is ready to welcome Frase and her assistants each morning waiting at the door with meows.

"He's usually right there at the door meowing at us when we are out on the porch," said Alma.

Darlene Richard, one of Frase's longest tenured assistant who has been helping at the shop for 24 years now says customers ask to see Sweetheart on a regular basis.

"Customers look forward to seeing him and always ask, 'Where's Sweetheart?'" she said.

Frase tells about a customer from the Eastern Shore who once visited the gift shop and was so impressed with Sweetheart that she said she would bring her husband by the next year to see him.

"The next year she brought her husband," said Frase.

The name "Sweetheart" was something Frase gave him after he was originally called "Midnight" by Greg.

Walking through the store, Frase would call out "Where's my sweetheart?" when the feline was not in plain view.

To celebrate this long-lived cat's birthday, Frase is hosting an open house on Feb. 8, 9, and 10 during regular store hours.

Light refreshments will be served as well as a special "cat cake" for Sweetheart.

"I also have a recipe for cat cookies," said Richards, who will be making Sweetheart's treats. "These are just for Sweetheart."

Many Valentine's Day items will be available for purchase just in time for the big day.

Customers can visit the store on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and on Sunday from 1-5 p.m.

Ye Olde Homestead is located on Route 28 South, one block past the stop light in Fort Ashby.

To reach the gift shop, call (304) 298-3723.