06/04/2026
To all of you amazing people — this will be my final Barn & Thistle Facebook post. 🌿
If you'd like to be part of my next adventure, please follow us at Thistle & Sage Gift Shoppe
(see previous post below for link).
This journey has been magical from the very moment we purchased the building that houses this incredible business, right up until this very day. You have all been right there cheering us on every step of the way, and I am so deeply grateful.
We made it through these past 5 years with the most dedicated staff — and I want to take a moment to honor each and every one of them.
Cori has shown absolute consistency and love for this business every single day. She has always believed in me, trusted my ability to build something special, and knows exactly what I need. Cori will be with me in September when we introduce Thistle & Sage to you all! ❤️
Cindy Richards rode up on her bicycle while we were renovating and asked if we needed help. She was with us from the very beginning — such a fun-loving soul. (Music nights were her favorite!)
Lindsay Harris came on board as kitchen help and was with us for our first 2½ years. She helped put our original systems in place and laid the foundation for everything that followed.
Heidi Gove took over kitchen prep at our halfway point — she was supposed to be a fill-in... ha, I fooled her! Heidi was instrumental in streamlining those systems and has been an amazing, dedicated asset ever since.
Emma Wyman has helped with front of house on Saturdays consistently for a number of years. She is wonderful with customers and truly loves this business.
Cathy Stephens came on board at our halfway point with no front-of-house experience but every will to learn — and she has helped us get through our busy seasons for the past 2½ years.
Honorable Mentions:
Shannon Maciejewski, former Burdick's employee, helped Cori in the kitchen on Saturdays and music nights. Always a fun night when Shannon and Cindy were there!
Amy Fletcher, another Burdick's alumna, helped out wherever needed in the early days of Barn & Thistle. Love you, Fletch! 💛
Tia Chandler started as a customer and ended up helping us in the kitchen whenever we needed a fill-in. Always made herself available — always.
Behind the Scenes:
Bill Heleen, another Burdick's friend, worked with me to build our website and kept it relevant throughout the years. Bill will also be helping with the Thistle & Sage website.
Elaine Heleen took care of my bookkeeping and payroll for all 5 years. Thank you for everything, Elaine.
Lisa Marr, also a Burdick's alumna, helped Bill with the website and helped me create my logo and signage. Lisa and I have worked together for so many years — I drew my logo idea on a napkin and she knew exactly what I was looking for!
Nick and Steph Watson, my son and daughter-in-law, have taken care of this page and will continue with the Thistle & Sage page. Nick is also helping me create the Thistle & Sage logo. 💛
I want to thank them all so very much. I could not have done any of this without the unbelievable dedication of each and every one of them. ❤️
And my husband Jeffrey — for being able to deal with me wanting everything exactly the way I wanted it during renovations. You all know after all these years just how picky I am!!!
Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. 🌿✨
- Cathy
