by David Flint
Cheryl Thibodeau, who last year opened a wine shop on Berlin’s Main Street, has now begun a new enterprise next door to Vonadeau Wine & Spirits in the old “Corner Store.” Called Corner Creations & More, it’s a place where artisan crafters and artists can display and sell their wares. Cheryl said she saw a need for a place like this because there are so many talented people living in this area.
Cheryl was still in the process of setting up at her opening on Saturday, May 29, but already one whole wall of the shop was very striking with a display of the folk art of Matthew McKeeby, the Berlin Limner. Els Murray of Green Hollow Weavers in Petersburgh had a table set up displaying her fine linen creations, as did Dawn Hake, an Independent Beauty Consultant displaying Mary Kay products. With more to come, David Theriault had on display a beautiful bench hand crafted from local black cherry hardwood.
As the weekend progressed other artisans arrived. They include Dina Cuomo – ELEKTRA Jewelry Design, Richard von Schilgen – House and Yard Adirondack chairs and planters, Russell Bink – wood carvings of birds,fish, etc.,
Andy Jones – wooden casserole and cake boxes and Cheryl Thibodeau – perennials plants.
Others expected to set up shop in the old Corner Store are Doris O’Brien of Strandsand Stitches, Ann Lindsey with her Watercolors, Peter von Schilgen and Morgan Hartman with Black Queen Angus Beef products, Carl Greene with Mapledale Farm Cheese and Barbra Toll displaying her traditional and high dynamic range photography. Cheryl said that a number of other artists and crafters have also expressed interest.
The old Corner Store building was originally constructed about 1818. Berlin’s first shirt factory was started there on the upper floors in 1856 by William F. Taylor. After about 1880 it became a general store under various owners. Buster and Shirley Strait had their Corner Store there in the 1950’s. Lionel Hill succeeded them with the L & L Corner Store and that was followed by
Sandy and Pete Budway’s Curio Shop and then most recently a few years ago Nello Jones used it for a while selling antiques and collectibles.
Corner Creations & More will have a Grand Opening on Saturday, July 3, from 1 to 4 pm. For more information on Corner Creations & More or on renting a table to display your products, call 658-9792.
