As a going out of business sale continues at the Master Craftsmen Shop, the owner and longtime patrons are preparing to say goodbye to their “go-to” gift shop.
WYDaily broke the news earlier this month that the Master Craftsmen Shop — which has sold locally-made handcrafted jewelry, collectibles, and ornaments on North Boundary Street — will close its doors for good once it sells out of its inventory.
The store’s closing is bittersweet for owner Holly Shields, who founded the store with her then-husband in 1982 and has continued to operate it since. Shields will retire once the store closes, and said she is looking forward to the rest and relaxation retirement will allow.
She’s not retired yet, however, and said Master Craftsmen has been as busy as it has ever been since she announced the shop’s closing.
“For being a quiet little shop, it’s gone berserk,” Shields said.
Shields has spent the past few weeks filling customers’ final orders for items such as her signature silver bracelets, and receiving thanks and well-wishes from longtime customers.
She said one customer even cried to her after hearing the news.
“I get a little misty-eyed myself,” Shields said. “I’ve been so busy I haven’t really had time to think about it.”
While Shields will miss her business and her customers, her customers have said they’ll miss the Master Craftsmen Shop for the gifts they’ve purchased and the memories they’ve made there.
“I found the Master Craftsmen shop to be one of the best places to purchase lasting gifts from Williamsburg,” Pat Cafiero, a 20-year Williamsburg resident who moved to Florida recently, said in a Facebook message. “The owner and other employees always did their best to please you. Another memory making place gone.”
Several customers contacted by WYDaily described Master Craftsmen as a “go-to” place for gifts for all occasions, including weddings, anniversaries, holidays and birthdays.
“I have purchased many sterling baby cuff bracelets for people over the years, especially for friends who didn’t live in Williamsburg,” Renee Zickert said via Facebook. “They were sort of a ‘here’s how we do it in Williamsburg’ gift.”
As business has picked up, Shields said she has appreciated seeing and hearing from faithful customers who are making one last stop at the Master Craftsmen.
“I’ll always remember them, and hopefully I’ll see them around town,” Shields said. “I’m really grateful for the response. It’s been amazing. I’m really touched that people want the products so much.”
Master Craftsmen will be open until the inventory is sold and remaining orders are fulfilled. Shields said she is unsure of an exact closing date, but she estimated early or mid-January.
Then she added a caveat.
“We’ve been selling so much we might not last until then,” she said.
