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Kathy Aerts - also referred to as Kranberry Kathy, just Kranberry, and mom - was born and raised in St. Petersburg Florida. While in her early 20's, Kranberry visited North Georgia on summer vacation and was sold! In 1979 the family, kids and Tramp the dog were packed in a U-haul and they all headed north towards Dahlonega...
Kranberry raised her family of four, worked at a local daycare and ran her own craft business for 20 years - eventually purchasing the Wooden Pitchfork gift shop once the kids got a little older. In 1995 she changed the name and eventually set up shop in a new location - the historic Woodsmen of the World building on Dahlonega's town square. Cranberry Corners gift shop was born!
The warm and wonderful spirit of the new building combined with Kathy's gift for gab soon attracted a steady stream of daily local visitors - or 'nuggets'. Eventually Cranberry Corners became a gathering place of sorts where customers and friends swapped hello's and stories, received advice, and maybe even sometimes purchased a little something! One day a customer quipped that the store was like a church because of the fellowship and good feeling you left with - hence the shop's nickname...'Church of the Cranberry'.
Each fall and holiday season, Kranberry and her staff annually spearhead Operation Wise Man - a care package program for deployed troops. She started this community involvement project at the beginning of the original Gulf War and has continued the tradition every year since...
Kranberry Kathy could also be known as Christmas Kathy; the entire month of December finds the shop decorated to the 9's , live music from local artists entertains shoppers, and don't forget our annual pajama party!
So visit soon and experience Cranberry Corners' motto first hand: "There are no strangers, just friends we've yet to meet!"
