Sometimes, a building calls to you. The message: "You’re meant to inhabit this space."
Such was the case for four women (and one male spouse) and the Red Barn in Wethersfield’s Village Business District. The coming together of these people and the respective spaces, that now house Cottonwood + Church, Raised on Ridge and Birdie’s, is just what the building was intended for.
According to its Facebook page, the Red Barn was originally built in 1766 by Sea Captain Ashbel Wright as his residence. By 1787, two additional structures were added to the 1.66-acre property. In 1804, it served as Wethersfield’s first fire station, One Hope 1.
When it came up for sale again, Michael and Kathleen Clarke, owners of One Hope LLC, who also own Wethersfield’s Main Street Creamery & Café, purchased the property, with Hartford Business Journal announcing the couple’s plans for the site. Their goal: to bring in businesses that pulled together the community.
An Instagram account for Red Barn hit social media. That’s when the magic began.
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Cottonwood + Church
Chelsea and Greg Riendeau, had an antique booth in Glastonbury and were a presence at markets and fairs. Suddenly, Chelsea noticed Red Barn’s Instagram account following them. “It was serendipitous,” she says. “It was always our dream to have a shop in Old Wethersfield, so when we got the Red Barn follow, I inquired if they might be renting the space.” By December 2023, Cottonwood + Church was housed in Red Barn’s front space.
Cottonwood + Church sells a mix of vintage and modern home decor and gifts. “Anything from hundred-year-old antiques and modern-day kitchen supplies, to candles, gifts and decor pieces,” Chelsea says. “You’ll also find local honey and syrups.”
After-hours events are also on tap. “We’ve held candle pouring and DIY furniture restoration workshops, as well as sip and shop events,” Greg says. Additionally, Cottonwood + Church can be rented as a private event space. Also available are registries for weddings, baby showers and other occasions. The Riendeau’s are also treasure hunters for hire. "We have a wishlist for clientele searching for special unique vintage or antique pieces,” Greg says, “They give us their budget and what they're looking for, measurements, if it's furniture pieces, and we can source those pieces for them.”
Raised on Ridge
Twin sisters Jenna Carcia and Lauren Ambrosie grew up on Ridge Road in Wethersfield. As the duo became new moms, they found a shared mission.
“It was important to us to have clothing for our kids made from organic materials, while also being unique enough to showcase their personalities,” Ambrosie says. The idea for a business was born.
Their mission, as stated on Raised on Ridge’s website: “Our brand embodies the power of strong women coming together supporting each other to raise the next generation of children in a way that will make our future a little warmer and brighter.” Taking this one step further was another declaration: “To continue to empower other women, all products in our store are sourced from small businesses started by other strong women.”
The sisters began selling at pop-ups and markets. As business plans for a brick-and-mortar Raised on Ridge unfolded, the sisters spotted Red Barn’s new Instagram account. Carcia inquired about the space and by December 2023, Raised on Ridge opened its doors at the Red Barn. On the shelves is a variety of clothing brands for children, sizes newborn to size 10, youth.
Birdie’s
Two years ago, Jen La Bella’s family moved to West Hartford. In short order, they discovered and fell in love with Old Wethersfield. “We’d walk down the street and enjoy the old homes and charm of the town,” La Bella recalls. “I'd always wonder what's in the Red Barn?”
“I had no plans to open a toy store, but when I stepped inside the space, it was crying out to be a toy store,” she says.
Enter Birdie’s, a charming cottage-esque building that beckons from Red Barn’s driveway. La Bella felt it was important to stock “artful toys.” “Something a bit elevated that you can’t find somewhere else,” she says. “Unique brands, many imported from Europe, that we believe people will fall in love with, just like we did.” There are also books, children’s room décor, and art and crafts supplies.
At the back of the cottage is Birdie’s Studio, which offers music art play classes from a team of three teachers. The space is also available for party rentals.
133-135 Main Street, Wethersfield, Cottonwood + Church,cottonwoodandchurch.com; Raised on Ridge, Raised on Ridge, (860) 249-1211,raisedonridge.com; Birdie’s,(860) 840-7770,birdiesatthebarn.com
Upon moving to Connecticut in 2021, Bekah Wright went into full exploration mode, along the way, discovering some of the state's most unique spots. She has written for publications including TV Guide, Bon Appetit, Reader's Digest, Nat Geo Kids and Los Angeles Magazine. She previously volunteered with Chester’s tourism board.