The Gray Catbird Gift Shop at 22 East Main St. in Huntington, which opened next door from its previous location over the summer under new owner Sherri Church, has had to close for the foreseeable future due to smoke damage from a fire incident.
Reminder Publishing photo by Amy Porter
HUNTINGTON — Only a few short weeks after opening, the Gray Catbird Gift Shop at 22 East Main St. suffered a setback and will be closed for the foreseeable future.
“How welcoming the community has been to the New Gray Catbird Gift Shop. Thank you all for your support over the past few weeks of our opening,” said proprietor Sherri Church in making the announcement.
“It is with a heavy heart that we must share the news that on Friday, Sept. 5, the building suffered a water main break causing flooding; on Sept. 9, our Gray Catbird suffered a smoke damage incident. We are unable to open our doors for the foreseeable future due to inspections, insurance matters and repairs,” Church said.
Church, a wampum artist who has been carving jewelry out of Quahog clams from her native Martha’s Vineyard for the past 15 years, moved to Western Mass. three years ago with her husband to be closer to her grandchildren. She had been dreaming about opening an art gift shop when the opportunity arose to take over the Gray Catbird Gift Shop and move it next door into a separate space, quickly turning it into a showcase for 80 area artisans.
“We, the artisans, and my husband Tom and myself, would like to extend our gratitude for the quick response by our emergency personnel, Huntington Fire Department, Huntington Police, Russell Fire Department, Montgomery Fire Department, Chester Fire Department, any and all EMS personnel on scene and our sister store of B&D Variety and their staff for catching the incident so quickly and getting help,” Church said.
“We are so thankful to be a part of this community and are extremely grateful for the help to save our shop from what could have been much worse. I would also like to thank my artisans for their kind words of support and the readiness to jump in and give us a hand in rebuilding our great store. Thank you, Sherri & Tom Church.”
