Lee Chesson Studios

Appalachian Spring

American Art and Craft Gallery

David and Paula Brooks, owners of Appalachian Spring, started their first store in the Georgetown section of Washington, D.C., 36 years ago. Their intention at the time was to provide an alternative to stores specializing in imports. Today, though the context has changed, the Brookses are still thriving on that philosophy.

The challenge, they say, is to “once again represent American craft in a way that communicates how wonderful it is, in an environment that is extremely focused on imported goods.” With an 85-member staff and five locations in Washington, D.C. and Virginia, the
Brookses are providing a healthy marketplace for hundreds of artists who feel the same
way. “Our plan has never been to open more stores just for the sake of opening
stores,” says David Brooks. “Rather, we look for opportunities that afford us the kind
of marketplace where we can sell our products successfully. Our plan continues to be
to build an internal structure that can support expansion when we find the right
opportunity, but in the meantime, we operate our current stores with the highest level
of quality and service possible.

                                                    David and Paula Brooks

”Within the last two years, they not only opened their fifth location in Richmond, Va., but both David and Paula became actively involved in the launch of the Craft Retailers Association for Tomorrow (CRAFT). As founding members of CRAFT, the couple’s interests are firmly rooted in the future of craft retailing. David Brooks is Chairman of the Board and Paula Brooks chairs the Business Practices Committee for the organization, which just finished a massive effort to create a Code of Ethics for craft retailers aroundthe country. The couple believes that through building a stronger alliance of American craft retailers, CRAFT will be able to enhance the viability of crafts in the marketplace and provide more opportunities for American craftspeople to make and sell their work.

Being recognized for their strong business ethics

and craft  marketing prowess is nothing new for this dynamic couple. In 2004, Appalachian Spring was one of 45 retail companies in the United States recognized for outstanding customer service by the National Retail Federation Foundation and American Express. Appalachian Spring’s Reston Town Center store has been published in  “Stores of the Year,” a recognition of
store design among stores worldwide.

In the first two years that Niche Magazine began its  Top 100 Retailers of American Craft awards — voted on by artists around the country —Appalachian Spring took the number one spot in 1995 and 1996.  David and Paula Brooks are now  members of the magazine’s Gallery of Honor.

Appalachian Spring is a must visit Craft Gallery specializing in American made craft, so please visit them If you are in the Washington, DC area.