Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Crystal Cabose - a hidden treasure

By Emily Gregoire

Gail and Bill Borkowski are the co-owners of the Crystal Caboose: a gift emporium and holistic resource center. The caboose carries crystals, stones, jewelry, music, beads, dowsing, and supplies.
            Neither Gail nor Bill are from the Clinton County area. Bill hails from Connecticut and Gail from Massachusetts. Their journey to West Chazy is one of persistence and optimism.   
            “The more you say yes to the universe, the more it will give to you,” Gail Borkowski said.
           In 1987 the Borkowski’s were paying a visit to the Rand Hill (Beekmantown) area, where their good friends had taken residence. Actually they were the exact same friends that introduced Gail and Bill for their blind date in 1979. The two later married in 1982.
           Gail had always taken a liking to the area, “I’m part of the earthquake generation,” Borkowski said. She stated that Northern New York is one of the safest places to be, “not too close to the ocean or a large city,” said Borkowski.   
             To thank their friends for the visit, Gail went to a gift shop to pick up a present. When she was there she notice a photo of the local West Chazy train station and immediately thought of her husband, Bill.
            Bill Borkowski has always loved anything to do with trains. During their visit they drove by the railroad station. He set his sights on owning that station.
          The Borkowski’s were in the presence of Ms. Atwood throughout their visit. Atwood was the town matriarch at the time. She knew everyone and everyone knew her. Bill informed Atwood of his intentions so that she could keep an ear out.
          Two weeks later the Borkowski’s were informed that the train station was for sale. Bill and Gail packed up and decided to retire from their 9 to 5 jobs to move up north and set up shop in a used-to-be train station.
          Once they got the idea of having a caboose on their property, the Borkowski’s wanted to ensure that the neighbors would love it just as much as they would.
          The first few transactions for a caboose didn’t work out. To show their support, neighbors of the Borkowski’s created a handmade, cardboard caboose and displayed it on the tracks that had already been laid down.
           That following January of 1997, the caboose distributor had called the couple to inform them that the previous buyer’s check had bounced and they would be receiving a caboose.
.           It had taken the power of two cranes and two trucks to get the caboose to its final destination.
          Gail used her artistic abilities to create a warm, inviting space inside the caboose which had its opening debut in 1998.
           Along with the for-sale items, the Crystal Caboose hosts community events throughout the year.
          Last December there was a holiday themed wrapping party, where community members gather in the community space and were provided with gift wrap for the upcoming holidays. “We are always a resource center” Borkowski said.
The Borkowski’s advertise their business through the store’s website and other social media platforms, but for the most part it’s through word of mouth.
          “I heard about crystal caboose from my mom who heard about it from a coworker back about 8 years ago,” Brandon Bedard said.
         Gail describes her customer base as optimistic, open-minded, spiritual, generous, thoughtful, and intuitive.
           The Crystal Caboose is a tool for people when they are going through times of transition and may need some encouragement. “People come when they are supposed to,” Borkowski said
         “My first impression was a sigh of relief for some reason, Gail is an amazing person who is very knowledgeable and kind. The moment you step inside the caboose, you will safe, loved and at home,” Bedard said.
         “My first time there I was absolutely amazed at how everything I am interested in learning and living by was put in one little caboose,” Courtney Forkey said.
          To many, the caboose is much more than a gift shop. “There is insight to a higher world beyond the one we I habitat and the crystal caboose is the foot in the door,” Forkey said.
         The caboose itself is a great place, but the owners are just as great. “Gail is someone who you look to, to help you find exactly what you are looking for or destined to find and will always answer your questions from insight and her own experiences, rather than what you want to hear,” said Forkey.
          The Crystal Caboose is this quirky hub for a niche interest, yet it holds such an important place in the hearts of its supporters.  

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