Berry Towne Crafts is pleased to announce that our new Log Cabin retail store is nearing completion. All interior work is finished as well as electrical and plumbing. We are now finishing the exterior details. When we have a firm opening date we will announce on this site. Until then, we continue to operate our current store...stop by and say hello. In 2004 the Artisan Studios of Berry Towne Crafts began expanding to provide increased opportunities to the individuals at O’Berry Center. Recognizing the need to enhance and improve the retail shopping experience for our patrons, the decision was made to pursue building a traditional Appalachian Log Cabin as a new retail space for our many crafts and handmade products. The choice of a log cabin was made because the classic simplicity of a rustic cabin fit in well with the very traditional crafts being produced in the various studios. In 2005 we began working with an Architect and contacting experienced sources for plans and method of construction of the Appalachian style cabin. Our staff researched extensively existing historic cabins and began meeting with log cabin specialist and builders. We studied time honored construction methods going back 200 years and considered how we could adapt these techniques into a cabin that would meet our modern needs and requirements. Over the past nine months, Berry Towne Crafts has constructed a very special building. Working with specialist in the art of log construction, and with the extensive efforts of the O’Berry staff and volunteers, Berry Towne Crafts has recreated a traditional old style Appalachian Log Cabin to be used for our craft store. Each eastern white pine log was cut into a 6 inch by 12 inch solid timber. The building features hand cut extended dovetail notched corners. Staff and volunteers hand hewned the inside and outside of every log. The hewning used the traditional tools, the hatchet and adze. The logs were erected and connected to each other by the time honored method of driving oak wood pegs between each joint. After erecting the entire 1600 square foot cabin, every joint and connection has been hand chinked both inside and out. The porches and all the trim is of locally harvested and sawn cypress. Every detail, from the exterior logs, to the heart pine floors held down by forged wrought iron nails, will insure that patrons enjoy a special shopping experience. The opportunity to build this special building that will become such a unique asset to both O’Berry Center and our community, has been made possible by the extraordinary support we have received over the years from our loyal patrons. We believe the log cabin store will greatly enhance the shopping experience when people visit Berry Towne Crafts. While the cabin is under construction, Berry Towne Crafts continues to operate from our current location on the O’Berry Center Campus on Old Smithfield Road. The store is open from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM Monday thru Friday. |
| Berry Towne Crafts: Exceptional People - Exceptional Work |
