The House
The Shabby Sheep isn’t just a furniture store; it’s a story of innovation and preservation…a labor of love. Entrepreneurs, Erika Deady-Wohlers and her husband Nick Wohlers moved from Chicopee to Granby in 2001. They had purchased the old Thorton Clark house off Route 202, on East State Street. The two story colonial was built in 1826 and home to generations of Clarks. The house was in poor condition and in desperate need of attention. The Wholer’s found a dusty, old plaque in the cellar, whose faded letters read: Home is where your story begins, and so began Erika and Nick’s story. Under the watchful eyes of a small town, frequent passerbys peered through their heated car windows as the young couple diligently worked through the frigid winter months.
The seasons came to pass and after 1-1/2 years plus and twenty two, forty yard dumpsters later, their renovation was complete.Together, they had accomplished a great feat while preserving a piece of history for the town Granby. Nick is a general contractor by trade and Erika attributes much of the project’s credit to Nick’s expertise. 
She says, humbly, that without his know how, none of this would have been financially possible. I was fortunate enough to be invited into their home and was impressed by its warm and welcoming feel. The words “ Home is where your story begins” are stenciled over head on one of the kitchen walls reminding you of what once was and all that is still to come. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of sentiment and tradition as I was leaving.
The Barn
So what’s all this got to do with the Shabby Sheep? Well, set behind the house is the barn the Clarks used to cultivate their land. In fact, the fields to the left of the property, now owned by the Sapowsky’s, are still farmed today, providing fresh fruits and vegetable to locals and area residents. The barn has been completely restored and boasts absolutely gorgeous post and beam timbers as well as some interesting antique farm pieces and equipment. Nick used the barn as a workshop where he would make and restore furniture pieces in his spare time. One day, Erika suggested that Nick “throw one of (his) pieces out on the front lawn to see what happens” What do you know, they sold their first piece, a two door cabinet, to Iris, one of the town’s school bus drivers.
..And so was the humble beginning of the Shabby Sheep in 2004. With one, sole connection down south, and a whole lot of faith, Erika and Nick decided to take the leap, and utilize the barn to start their own furniture store. A wise and profitable decision it turned out to be.
The Shabby Sheep
The Shabby Sheep sells everything from cabinets and hutches to sideboards, tables, and accent items. Each piece is hand-made from re-claimed wood and faux painted to give it a weathered and rustic look. In fact, the furniture blends and shows so nicely amongst the rigid boards and floors of the barn, that I was ready to ask if I could just move there rather than make a purchase. Erika puts this into better perspective when she says that the Shabby Sheep sells more of a “life-style” than just furniture. Its look and feel appeals to those who are “not into perfection”, but to those who like to mix and match to obtain more of an “eclectic” look . Prices are very reasonable and Nick’s farm tables can even be custom sized to order.
This year the Shabby Sheep has expanded their inventory with a large variety of planters, urns, decorative vases, and chimnias. These vessels come in just about any size imaginable and are each hand-made, original works of art. The Shabby Sheep is open Wednesday thru Sunday from 11:00-5:00pm or by appointment and is definitely worth the visit. You can also visit their showroom online to see some of the pieces and designs they offer.
Written By : Jessica Layne
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