The Wooden Spoon Is Retiring

The Times Plus:

A modern silver display tree with a star base holds crystal and gold, teardrop-shaped Christmas ornaments. It has caught the customer’s eye.

“Will you sell this?” the customer asks.

“Oh, yes,” Rachael Seffrood, owner of the Wooden Spoon, says with a smile. “Eventually we will be selling everything.”

For almost five years, Seffrood has helped people choose gifts for special occasions in their lives. She sees the closing of the store Dec. 24 as the start of new adventures.

“And I’m ready!” she said.

Seffrood started running the Wooden Spoon business on Jan. 31, 2003. She retired after 32 years working for the state of Wisconsin’s Employee Trust Fund in Madison, and she decided she didn’t want to drive to Madison anymore.

Her retirement coincided with Cynthia Johnson’s desire to sell the Wooden Spoon. Becoming a business owner intrigued Seffrood.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” she said. “I’ve loved it. It’s been fun. And my Mom (Helen Hefty) comes every day, even when I’m not here,” she said.

Seffrood’s daughters, Jaime, Jessica and Jennifer, help when she goes to market, to help choose items for the store. She said they offered insights into what different age groups are looking to buy. Seffrood’s sister comes to help during holiday and special sales events. And her ever-present mom, now in her 80s, “runs to the bank,” bags customer’s purchases, and fills in when Seffrood is busy. When she’s not busy, Hefty can be found sitting in her chair behind the counter, crocheting.

Seffrood feels she’s spent enough years working. She wants to spend more time with her 20-month old grandson, Miles, and her daughters.

“Do what you can do” is her motto. And she wants to travel.

“The next 15 years of my life is my best time to travel,” she said. She said her mother traveled until she was 80.