HISTORY OF BARN DOORS & BURLAP
After participating in a few local craft fairs, Donna and Joseph Van Etten and their daughter, Kate Philbrick opened Barn Doors & Burlap as a pop-up shop in November 2019 originally in the "old Dead River building" next to The Village Scrubboard laundromat.
Then, in the midst of the pandemic in November 2020, unable to participate in local craft fairs and looking to sell their crafts in some form, they made the decision to rent out a small storefront in downtown Rangeley (next to the former Thai Blossom in the old IGA building) for six weeks before the holiday season. In just a short period of time, other local artisans inquired about consigning their work or renting a space from us.
By January 2021, they realized that this pop-up concept could potentially sustain itself with other vendors committed to the same quality products and ideals that they believed in. Donna, Joe, and Kate signed a long-term lease agreement with their landlord and jumped in with both feet and hearts full of passion doing what we loved as a family.
After they just started adjusting to the learning curves of running a business, their world changed forever when Joe passed away unexpectedly in August 2021. Although Joe would often joke that it was Donna and Kate's store, everyone knew he was the first one to greet customers or hop up to explain how something worked. He gained as much of a passion for the business as Donna and Kate and the memories and laughs we shared together will be forever cherished in their hearts.
Not long after Joe passed, Donna and Kate learned that the local iconic business, Mo's Variety was listed for sale. The reality of owning their own business on Main Street in Rangeley seemed unrealistic during the grieving process and the height of the real estate market, but of course it wouldn't be a true challenge if Kate didn't pursue it. After months of literal blood, sweat, and tears, Kate signed the papers on her birthday and formally purchased the building at 2499 Main Street on January 18, 2022.
Donna, Kate, and countless friends transformed the building with paint, decor, and love in just a few weeks and Barn Doors and Burlap officially opened their doors at the new location for their first Friday Night Lights/Grand Opening event on February 4, 2022. The look on customers' faces and unsolicited feedback is the most satisfying and heartwarming reward that can Donna and Kate could have ever imagined.
Barn Doors and Burlap learned to navigate their way as a new business in some very uncertain times, through the winter season, opening just a few days a week, but are committed to selling quality products that tie into the rustic theme and building a strong rapport with their customers. All of their vendors are locals or have some connection to Rangeley. This can be seen through the type of products they sell such as State of Maine signs made out of wooden pallets, local town line signs, all-natural Montessori-inspired activities, quilted and sewn pieces that reflect scenes of the outdoors, and of course, the Barn Doors & Burlap signature pieces that began with hand painted scenes on rustic barn boards. Barn Doors and Burlap also carries products from Rangeley Balsam, which is a well-known organic product used in homes and for gifts. The talent from all of their vendors is reflected in the quality of work and that is the goal that Donna and Kate continue to strive for as they add new pieces to the store.
