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Date: 7/1/2022
WARREN – A roadside attraction known as “Gypsy’s Cottage” offers free, enchanted items to passersby. All stored within an eight-foot octagonal structure, the cottage has a variety of goods for all ages.
Located on Old Douglas Road, about a quarter mile from Route 9, Carol Mays, owner of Gypsy’s Cottage, fills the space with mostly handmade items.
“Most [items] I make myself, some I order,” said Mays, along with her husband who contributes CD’s and DVD’s.
Other examples that can be found inside include painted rocks with moon and heart designs, poetry books that Mays published, wooden objects for children to paint and more, she shared.
“People drop in and pick up things that make them feel good,” said Mays. “There is no charge – it’s all free.”
About four years ago, Mays bought the “cottage” that stands in her front yard. After fixing it up with a little paint and decorations, Gypsy’s Cottage opened. “I renovated it to serve my purpose,” she shared.
Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, Mays said a lot of people frequented her cottage. To keep track of visitors, she left a book inside for people to sign and leave a positive message.
Once COVID-19 ramped up, Mays said she noticed less and less visitors. However, more recently, visitors have been coming back at “a good pace,” she added.
While many people drive down this rural road daily, Mays said a lot do not know about the cottage. Most people hear about May’s offerings by “word of mouth,” she noted.
Nonetheless, Mays said that this allows her to keep up with making and replenishing the items.
She told Reminder Publishing that sometimes, people will leave donations such as sea glass or other unique findings. As Mays has the inventory inside her cottage memorized, she said it’s “rewarding” to go in and see what has been taken, or even donated.
“I have a fantasy about people doing something similar,” said Mays, in reference to her giving back to others. “It’s uplifting and adds hope to life.”
Gypsy’s Cottage is always open. Mays explained that people can just go in and take what they want. She noted that there is no lighting inside the cottage, so it’s best to visit when there’s daylight.