John Grexa and his grandmother, Melissa Thomas, stand on their new store, Country Cottage Seasonal Gifts, Brookfield Center.

John Grexa and his grandmother, Melissa Thomas, stand on their new store, Country Cottage Seasonal Gifts, Brookfield Center.

John Grexa showed at an early age that he was serious about making crafts.

Attracted to Brookfield resident Carol Novosel’s pysansky – Ukrainian-style decorated eggs; some also call them Faberge eggs – Grexa took a class on decorative eggs from Ruth Jennings at Alcraft in Brookfield. He was about 11 years old.

“His first class was an egg that he cut doors and they hinged the doors, so the doors opened up and the egg lit up,” said Grexa’s grandmother, Melissa Thomas. “I said to him ‘This was your first? You couldn’t start with a simple, little (egg).’ No, no. He was, that was it – he was all in.”

Grexa, 23, who also makes floral arrangements, evolved from making crafts to organizing craft shows. Now, he has a storefront, Country Cottage Seasonal Gifts at 439 Route 7, Brookfield.

“We like the historical feel of the building,” Grexa said. “It’s small and quaint, like a cottage.”

The building, next to Brookfield Township Cemetery, was once a Presbyterian church. It later housed Hart’s Hardware and Van Zanten Plumbing, and also has apartments.

It doesn’t hurt that the building is on Route 7 with its steady traffic flow.

“He has been showing me this building for years; like, about four years,” Thomas said.

The storefront officially opens Aug. 10 and 11, with hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The store will be stocked with goods from Grexa’s family, including Thomas’s rag rugs and wreaths; mom Kim’s greeting cards and wood-burned products; and sister Amanda’s crocheted items.

It also will feature Novosel eggs; Marlene Boughner jewelry; Debbie Bucciarelli pottery; Creative Originals candles by Olivia Lockhart; and items bought through a distributor.

Country Cottage specializes in country primitive items.

“We’re very seasonal, so we’re gonna carry all the holidays,” Grexa said, adding that he also will stock everyday home décor items. The store currently features fall and Halloween items.

After Aug. 11, Country Cottage’s hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, but will expand around the holidays.

“We plan on having open houses and sales,” Grexa said, and he said he wants to participate in any seasonal events in the township.

“We’re excited,” Thomas said. “We’re getting ready. We’re almost there.”

Country Cottage originated in a Hartford farmhouse on Sharpsville Thompson Road in 2021, and Grexa operates the Yankee Lake craft show in October; craft shows at the Hartford Apple Festival and Holidays in Hartford; and the Badger Fine and Performing Arts Craft Show in March.

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