Frieda B. Author/Co-founder Renata Bowers with guests.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
SOMERS — The Story Barn, at 952 Main St. in Somers, is home to the Frieda B. series of children’s books, which Author/Co-founder of Frieda B., LLC and The Story Barn Renata Bowers writes.
Frieda B., LLC is a two-family company that believes in encouraging the story within every child. The Bowers and LaJoie family publish and market the Frieda B. series of books. In 2019, they made this renovated horse barn with seven acres of land their new home.
“We wanted the community around us to be able to receive at the barn the kind of programming and events that they most wanted,” Bowers said. “We’re five years into running The Story Barn, and the events we offer today best reflect what people most want from us: a place where you can explore nature, art, story, wonder and be part of authentic community in a serene and beautiful setting.”
The Frieda B. book series is centered around a girl whose name is Frieda B. who believes she is free to be what she dreams. Bowers writes this series to help children and adults know that just like the key character, they are free to be their own one-of-a-kind, never-before-told, amazing and particularly important story.
At Frieda B., LLC, everything they create and offer from books, products, programming, and events at The Story Barn centers around one goal: awakening the one-of-a-kind story within every person they meet of every age.
“Each of us longs to be seen, heard and loved, and to know I matter, I belong, I can. Not only that, each of us wants the people we love to know that. So, we just keep creating ways for people to receive and experience that,” Bowers said. “What’s most rewarding to me is the love we’re able to give out and the love we get back — just by opening the doors and loving the people that come to us, of all ages. Our objective is to help people feel seen, heard and loved, and that ties back to building up the story within each person and providing authentic community for all who come to us.”
The Story Barn has a monthly schedule of events open to the public as well as private events. It offers everything from school field trips to women’s and staff retreats to birthday parties and family reunions.
“We have our first wedding happening in October,” Bowers added. “We love to get creative. Everything ties back to celebrating story and community.”
The next upcoming Open Barn and Craft Days are Oct. 19 and Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon and a Holiday Open Barn on Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. These include a make-and-take craft for $10, free story times, free scavenger hunt and free popcorn. No registration is necessary. Details can be found at FriedaB.com/Calendar.
The Pumpkin Fairy Cottages Workshop on the evening of Sept. 19 is led by Erica Giroux of Giroux Woodworking in East Windsor. Details and registration will be posted shortly at FriedaB.com/Calendar.
Those who are interested in hosting a private event at The Story Barn can contact Info@FriedaB.com.
