After over two decades of showcasing the best of county crafters, longtime Caribou business owners Natalie and Paul Ireland are set to retire. Natalie, well known for her handmade wreaths at local craft fairs, opened Wreaths By Natalie in 2002, eventually expanding into a consignment shop featuring work from 50 crafters. The couple, who have four children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, plan to close the shop on September 21 to start their next chapter in life, which includes traveling and spending more time with family downstate.
The business grew so much that the Irelands moved to Westmanland 15 years ago to accommodate the shop, and are now selling the Caribou property. Natalie will continue taking orders for wreaths until she runs out of materials, bidding farewell to customers who have made the shop a local staple. Visitors Gary Hamilton and Fran Casey of Augusta frequented the shop, noting the unique gifts available and the warm relationship with the Irelands.
The Irelands reflect on the relationships they have built with fellow crafters over the years, recognizing that selling the shop may be a challenge for someone without those connections. Despite their retirement, the legacy of Wreaths By Natalie will live on in the hearts of those who have enjoyed the unique crafts and warm hospitality of the Irelands over the years.
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