Dickinson & Wait Craft Gallery highlights handmade treasures created by some of the nation's premier artisans. Photo by Toni Milbourne

SHEPHERDSTOWN — For just over three decades, Dickinson & Wait Craft Gallery has been a predominant business in downtown Shepherdstown, providing unique products made with top-quality craftsmanship.

Owners Debbie Dickinson and Meredith Wait have also served as predominant business professionals, as they have not only offered an exceptional shopping venue but have become integral members of the community.

According to Wait, Dickinson was the one to bring the shop to Shepherdstown.

“I had a graphic design business,” Wait said. “I tried to sell her an ad, and she told me, ‘I don’t pay for advertisements.”’

The two clicked, both professionally and personally. Shortly thereafter, Wait moved her office to the storefront and Dickinson, who had initially had her studio in the back of the store, moved it to another location, to allow for more space and better productivity.

Dickinson & Wait Craft Gallery is clearly a fun place to be, as can be seen in this photo of staffer Irene Ellis, owners Debbie Dickinson and Meredith Wait and manager Brenda Phillips. Courtesy photo

“I started the gallery as a venue for my pottery and for other friends,” Dickinson said.

“She was very austere,” Wait said, describing Dickinson when they met. “Then, I came in and started adding color. We had to figure out how to merge our tastes.”

The two successfully merged and continue their business today agreeing on what items to bring into the shop.

“We both have to like what we buy,” Wait said.

Since their opening in 1991, the two have loved sharing their passion for American made crafts. Over the years, Dickinson & Wait has showcased the work of hundreds of nationally known craft artists.

From the start, the two shared, the community has been very supportive of their venture. They came into the area around the same time as the Contemporary American Theater Festival and have always felt a shared passion with that organization, for bringing art to Shepherdstown.

“We couldn’t have done this anyplace else,” Wait said, of the success of their business.

The two explained that the craftspeople they have represented over the years have been phenomenal.

“They are all professional craftspeople, not weekend craftspeople,” they said. “They are serious professionals.”

Dickinson, with a degree in studio art, tends to allow Wait to be the front person, the people person, but it is the combination of the two that creates the atmosphere that is Dickinson & Wait. Their focus on tourism and artistry has allowed them to maintain their shop, while giving them opportunity to develop lifelong friendships with both artists they feature and shoppers who find their dream items at 119 East German Street.

As time has passed, especially when the coronavirus pandemic took over the world stage, the focus on craftspeople and festivals and other venues that so successfully highlighted their work and allowed them to make a living doing what they love has diminished.

“COVID killed the wholesale business of American crafts,” Wait said, explaining that for 29 years before the pandemic, the couple attended wholesale shows. “Then, it was gone. We weren’t able to say goodbye — the industry was really hit.”

Despite the downward turn in festivals and other venues for the work of the craftspeople, both Dickinson and Wait said they have developed lifelong friendships and have no regrets on landing in Shepherdstown.

The two praised their staff in helping make the gallery such as success. Brenda Phillips, Ann Alter and Irene Ellis provide the ultimate in customer service, as well as assistance in ensuring the gallery runs smoothly.

After 34 years, the couple is now looking at retirement, which will allow them to pursue some other endeavors, especially volunteer work. With that retirement comes the closure of what has become an iconic business in downtown.

Located in the oldest active Masonic temple in the state, Dickinson and Wait has given opportunity to thousands of individuals to find the perfect gift, perfect accent for a home or perfect accessory.

“We will miss the people the most,” Wait said.

A retirement notice will go up on April 25, according to Wait. Those who would like to bid farewell to the business are welcome to come that evening from 5-8 p.m. and share a toast to the couple, as they look ahead to their next chapter in life. Regardless of where their next steps take them, it is clear that in looking back, Dickinson and Wait have been instrumental to the downtown scene in Shepherdstown.