The Farmer's Wife Provides Eclectic Mix of Antiques and Collectables

Collecting, antiquing and history have been a part of Pam Rodrigues' life since before she can remember.

Her knick-knacks, collectables and homemade items have multiplied over the years, numbering in the thousands.

So, when she and her husband, Nelson bought a historic house in Easton 8 1/2 years ago, fully equipped with a three-story barn, creating her own business was in her purview.

"I’ve been [collecting] for a long time in preparation," Rodrigues said. "This barn is absolutely huge."

The Farmer's Wife opened earlier this year in the barn at 539 Bay Road. The store gives Rodrigues the opportunity to sell her many antiques and collectables. In addition, the shop also sells fresh eggs and seasonal garden vegetables.

"This has been my lifelong dream," she said. "...My friends have always told me ‘you should do something’ and then when we found this property, it was the barn that sold my husband. And we thought, some day this will make a great shop."

The Farmer's Wife gives her a chance to show off her eclectic taste and provide shoppers with items you wouldn't otherwise find in normal stores.

The store offers some interesting scenery and a historic vibe as well. Rodrigues' house, next to the barn, was formerly a 1700s watering hole known as the Benjamin William Tavern.

"I find [history] really interesting now that I’m all grown up," she said. "When I was a kid I didn’t care. But now, it’s pretty cool. This really is a great area."

If you look behind the barn, you’ll also notice a small farm operated by the family.

"We have lots of exotic birds," Rodrigues said. "I collect the feathers and make jewelry with them. We have a horse. We have sheep and it’s a little farm – nothing massive."

The new business owner hopes Easton residents will stop by and check out her merchandise - even if they just come by to chat.

"I’m a very social person," Rodrigues said." I love the camaraderie of people coming in. I love to help them decorate and just give them ideas for repurposing things."