Living the Dream
In the wake of tragedy, Denise Allen found her dream

American folk artist Denise Allen with one of quilts at home in Palatine Bridge Left: One of Allen’s handcrafted dolls

Denise Allen, born and raised in Brooklyn, is living her dream in Amish country. She and her husband, Richard, are proud owners of Allen’s 19th-Century Farm and General Store in the Montgomery County village of Palatine Bridge.

The business, which opened last summer, is not so much a store as it is a labor of love and a gallery for local artists to display and sell their work. Allen – a renowned needleworker, dollmaker and painter – also sells herbs, preserves, antiques, jewelry, and her own limited-edition art prints and story quilts at the country-style store.

The talented folk artist, once referred to as “a high priestess of needlework” by The New York Times, realized her dream only after experiencing a mother’s worst nightmare.

The Allens lost their only child, Richard Jr., in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City. He was in charge of an insurance company’s mailroom on the 98th floor of One World Trade Center on that fateful morning.

“ When he went home to be with the Lord, I didn’t take it personally,” Denise Allen says. “The Lord doesn’t make mistakes.”

At that time, the Allens all lived together in Queens. Denise had already given up her lifelong dream of moving to the country after one property deal after another fell through. Not long after Richard’s death, however, a real estate agent called Denise and told her that a 23-acre farm had just become available near Albany.

Denise and her husband packed their things and headed upstate with their teenage niece, Chiffon. At first, they raised sheep and goats on the farm but soon turned their attention to the store. They still own a miniature goat, an alpaca, African geese, chickens and ducks.

“ My husband absolutely loves it,” Denise says. “Sometimes we fight over who’s going to feed the ducks. I mean, we’re really enjoying it.”

Denise remembers that her son, an ordained minister, had often prayed for the Lord to bless her with a “creative miracle.” She no doubt considers her store and 23-acre farm a piece of heaven.

Story and photo courtesy Journal Communications Inc.

CLICK HERE TO SEE ORIGINAL WORKS FOR SALE

[ Up ] [ Clocks ] [ Farm Pictures ] [ Posters ] [ General Store Items ] [ Upcoming Events ] [ Press Clippings ]