Country Keepers

Country Keepers

Written by Shannon Colletti Saturday, 07 July 2007

Storeowner celebrates our nation’s heritage.

Step into Country Keepers, and you could be transported to a time when our nation’s forefathers were settling into colonies and living by candlelight. Majestic Shaker-style furniture, pewter candlesticks, intricately sewn quilts and salt-glazed pottery are arranged into rooms, giving the home-furnishings store a cozy feel. And this is exactly how owner Donna Munson, a musician and former science teacher, wants it.

“I feel like our country needs to embrace a little more of our roots than we do,” Munson said. “I think the décor, the music, everything from the 1700s is timeless. They took pride in their craftsmanship and made it to last. Some people call it old-fashioned, and if that’s the case, it’s fine with me.”

Although she’d always wanted to be a teacher, Munson retained a passion for art and music. In 1988, the self-taught artist began selling her homemade crafts, mostly clay Santas and angels. Two years later, she became enamored with the design styles she saw on a trip to Colonial Williamsburg and incorporated them into her work.

“The clay ornaments and figurines are what really took off,” she said. “Because I antiqued the clay, I was told it had a really unique look, especially for this area of the country.”

Demand became so great that Munson began mass producing her designs, added merchandise from market and eventually opened her first store in November 2002. She moved into her current location in April 2006.

“I was terrified; I’d never done anything like this before,” Munson said. “It was definitely a new challenge. But even though I’m not teaching science anymore, I’m still teaching. I feel like I can educate people about our historical past in this store.”

In addition to the wooden and upholstered furniture, Munson sells all sorts of “new country” home furnishings, including lamps, baskets, chandeliers, wreaths, dishware and folk art. She said the new country style is much more sophisticated than the “country” of the 1980s.

Today Munson has a handful of part-time employees, but continues to put in long hours.

“This is a lot harder than I thought it’d be,” she said. “But to me, this is a reflection of who I am and what I value, so it’s important that I’m here.”

Munson’s advice to new entrepreneurs is to talk to different people who have owned their own business. She also said it’s important to know your employees, be honest with your customers and always take time for yourself and your family.

17.76 DEAL

Munson asks all her customers a history trivia question when they check out. If they answer correctly—and Munson ensures that they do—they receive a 17.76 percent discount on their purchases. 1776 was the year the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Story behind the name

The name “Country Keepers” is a patriotic reference to being a “keeper of one’s country,” and has nothing to do with the ’80s design style coined “country.”

Country Keepers, 9308 Anderson Mill Road, Ste. 500, 331-4720, www.thecountrykeepers.com

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