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It may look like an old colonial home from the outside, but when you open the door, you'll find perhaps the most extensive collection of Christmas tree ornaments to be found in Fairfield County.
Trumbull residents Jennifer and Gary Bean were looking for an opportunity aside from Allegra Printing and Imaging, the print shop Gary bought (and still runs) in Shelton.
When one of Jennifer’s favorite shops became available, they couldn’t refuse and bought the business in 2009 from its original owner of 22 years. In 2012, the Beans moved it to its current location at the corner where Routes 7 and 33 meet – with more parking and far more space for all holiday decorating.
“What we sell is what I love or would buy as gifts for family and friends. Quality is the first thing we look for, and we look for things you can’t just find online,” said Jennifer Bean.
Each room in the house features trees with different themed ornaments. The center room includes gourmet gifts, jewelry and household goods for gifting. This room also is redecorated throughout the year to match seasonal holidays. Halloween, for instance, is another huge time of year for the shop.
Quality is evident in the Radko ornaments and especially the unique Patricia Breen designs. The Historical Christmas Barn is one of two retailers in the nation to carry Breen’s entire ornament line.
“There’s nothing like them,” said Bean.
“We started to get busy earlier this year than years past. I think people are looking for an excuse to celebrate something with all the negative news all year long," she said.
“We’ve seen a lot of new, young families coming through – people who never stopped or never knew we were here,” said Bean. “It’s been a really nice season. It feels like people are excited about Christmas this year.”
There's only four shopping days left until Christmas, but Bean reminds customers that ornaments make great gifts year round.
The Historical Christmas Barn is located at 150 Danbury Road in Wilton. The shop is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Mondays from January to September. For more information, visit www.historicalchristmasbarn.com or call 203-761-8777 or 1-800-541-XMAS.
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