If Bill and Kim Blanchard have their way, The Country Homestead, their new early American home décor shop at 79 West Stafford Road, will be the next Yankee Candle.
Their grand opening was on Oct. 19, but the couple, with the help of several family members, have been buying and selling folksy, handcrafted gift items and furniture for approximately two years now at craft fairs and holiday events. The new store marks a step forward in the adventure.
“[Kim] always had an interest in going to these shops and it was her idea to find a place where we could buy things and resell them at craft fairs. So I purchased a tent and got the needed tax identification number and we got started,” said Bill Blanchard.
The two began making regular monthly trips in a rented van out to Amish country in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where they honed in on a community of approximately 50 or 60 furniture builders. It was typical for the Blanchards to travel to Pennsylvania and meet with builders in their own homes, then visit their shops – which were generally right on their properties. In doing so, they have gotten to know the people on a more personal level and discern whose work they prefer.
“The Amish are really nice people, and they all work hand in hand together to help each other out. If you need something and one can’t have it for you at that time, they will give you a name of someone else who can do it,” Bill Blanchard said.
“It’s been a learning adventure every time we go,” said Kim Blanchard, noting the challenges of balancing another full time job with having to make a sometimes 10-hour round trip drive, plus the necessary shopping all in one 24-hour period.
She said it took time for them to figure out which shops had the best quality and selection, and when were the best times to shop for holiday and seasonal gifts. At this point, they’ve begun to learn about other less well advertised builders who have items they are interested in. They have also connected with another Amish community in Ohio.
The shop is small, but well furnished with reasonably priced furniture, ornaments, whimsical farm animals, primitive dolls, handmade placemats, prints of famous artworks, curtains, holiday décor, gift items, and, of course, candles.
It also features a small season room presently done up in a harvest/Thanksgiving theme. She’s currently looking for a few good vendors to round out the offerings. Access is up a flight of stairs, which poses a problem for people with mobility challenges, but, then again, the rent was a bargain.
A family affair from the get-go, it was their son-in-law Rob Butler, owner of Butler Diversified Services, a plumbing, HVAC, and general repair company, who offered them space in the building.
“We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him,” said Kim Blanchard. “He gave us the opportunity to see if it could work.”
Presently, The Country Homestead is open Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and they hope to expand soon to Thursday and Friday afternoons.
They’re fortunate to have plenty of willing workers from their daughters and sons-in-law, Crystal and Rob, Melissa and John, Nicole and Lee, a bushel full of grandchildren ,and a couple of happy-go-lucky dogs who find something to do in the shop. Granddaughter Gabriell is especially helpful keeping the shop humming on Saturdays.
“Right now, my goal is to get the word out,” said Kim Blanchard, who has been working on some fun ideas to bring in customers.
She plans to offer a discount to anyone who wears their pajamas to the shop on Black Friday. A hot chocolate night is in the works for Dec. 14, and a visit from Santa Claus on Dec. 21. And always with an eye on the customer, she plans to put out a suggestion box for gift ideas they would love to see in the store.
