“This story is more about the artists than it is about me.”
Walking into Cooley & Company in historic Granville, MA, you are greeted warmly by owner Cooley Buy. Inside the 100-year-old, family-owned barn are hundreds of items from local artists: pottery, apparel, accessories, self-care products, books, food, recycled materials, indoor and outdoor decor, refurbished furniture, and dog treats. “Every piece has a story,” Buy states proudly. The 35-45 artists that produce the pieces offer them for sale in Buy’s beautiful space, which is overhauled every three weeks.
After feeling “electrified” during her first pottery class, Buy became a potter and teacher, selling at craft fairs. A short time later, Buy rented a storefront in Granville. Through her successes, Buy envisioned the barn as the perfect space for artists, and made her dream a reality.
Buy is now part of the newest women-owned storefronts in Granville. Cooley & Company opened in September 2020 after a major revamp of the unused barn. When COVID hit and Buy felt hesitant about continuing, her son said, “Build it, mom; they will come.” When Buy ran out of wood to complete the walls, she asked for doors and received 47. When the space was ready for furniture, pieces were donated or refurbished. Through blood and sweat from Buy, friends, family, and the town of Granville, the deteriorating barn was cleaned, repaired, and staged. A deck was built, overlooking the picturesque view - green fields, rolling hills, and the “Mill in the Meadow,” a water wheel built by Buy’s grandfather and cousin in 1976.
You can see and feel the love that went into the space. People stop in to say “hi,” even when she isn’t open. Buy said her idea for the deck was to give spouses, who may not be interested in shopping, a place to sit, chat, and sip coffee or tea. 50% of the items are created by artists from Granville, and the rest are still local. Artists range from 11 years old to 95. Buy can tell you who created each piece and the story behind it; she knows her artists, and they trust her to sell their pieces.
Buy is the ‘Mall Map of Granville,’ sending people from Cooley & Company to other local storefronts; Buy wants to support local artists as well as businesses. “We want to bring people to Granville. I have the space to do this, and we can offer a range of prices for items that all can afford - from children to adults.” There is truly something here for everyone.
Cooley & Company is open Friday-Sunday, 10am-6pm, Labor Day through Christmas.
66 Granby Road, Granville, (413) 231-2143, cooleybuy2@gmail.com
