A Middleboro Business Owner Just Unexpectedly Saved a Piece of Wareham History

WAREHAM (WBSM) — A historic Wareham shop that for decades gave local artisans a place to shine is going to continue that tradition under a new proprietor with an even bigger vision.

The Soulful Palette, an apothecary and artisan gift shop located in Middleboro, is opening a second location in the former Old Company Store in Wareham that dates back to 1890. The store was originally the cooper shop for the Tremont Nail factory across Elm Street, and creativity and artistry have always been in the building’s DNA.

Corinne McCarthy, owner of The Soulful Palette, wants that DNA to live on.

“More than anything, I want these spaces to feel alive,” she said. “My biggest goal is to create a destination that celebrates creativity, community, and local small businesses.”

Tim Weisberg/Townsquare Media

When the Old Company Store went on the market late last year for just under $2 million, most expected it was the end of the line for one of the town’s most beloved properties. Although the store had permanently closed in 2016 when owner Sandi Assad retired, her daughter Shari Aussant continued selling unique wares at another building on the property, Mermaids on Cape Cod Boutique. That building, as well as two historic homes on the property, were all part of the listing.

READ MORE: Wareham's Historic Old Company Store Is For Sale

The Old Company Store building will become home to local artisans, makers, crafters, authors, specialty food vendors, and unique small businesses.

“We want people to walk in and discover something they can’t find anywhere else while supporting the talented people who live and work right here in our community,” McCarthy said.

Transforming the Former Mermaids on Cape Cod Boutique

The Mermaids on Cape Cod building, which is located on Cranberry Highway right behind the Old Company Store, will become The Sirens Grove, which McCarthy said will “serve as a dedicated space for workshops, classes, private events, book signings, community gatherings, and creative experiences.”

Google Maps

Who Is Soulful Palette Owner Corinne McCarthy?

McCarthy describes herself as “a mom of two amazing kids, an artist, and someone who has always believed in the art of community.”

“Creating spaces where people can share their creativity, chase their dreams, and support one another has become one of the biggest passions of my life,” she said.

She and her husband Stephen went to school for culinary arts, and worked in that field for a long time, but have also “done a lot of different things over the years,” she said, noting she has been a shop owner now for over four and a half years. They are parents to Laila and Parker, and McCarthy said they are a “huge part” of what she does.

“Being a business owner has taught me countless lessons about perseverance, grit, flexibility, and finding beauty in the unexpected, and I hope my children grow up seeing that it’s possible to build a life around passion, hard work, and community,” she said. “All while doing something you truly love.

Bringing The Soulful Palette Experience to Wareham

The Soulful Palette opened at 88 Grove Street in Middleboro a little more than two and a half years ago. It now features the work of over 165 local artists.

“We have created such a magical gift shop where you can truly find something for everyone,” she said. “Every time you come into the store, you will always see new items made locally.”

READ MORE: Wareham's Book Shed Is a Treasure Trove of Tomes

“What began as a dream to support local artists, authors, little entrepreneurs and makers has become a community built around creativity, collaboration, and small businesses helping one another succeed,” McCarthy said.

The shop features the work of over 165 local artisans, crafters, makers, and authors, offering specialty foods, handmade goods, artwork, apothecary items, workshops, classes, events, and more.

“One of my favorite things about The Soulful Palette is that every shelf tells a story because every item comes from a real person pursuing something they love,” she said. “We’ve also worked hard to create opportunities not just for established businesses, but for first-time makers, local authors, and even young entrepreneurs who are just getting started.”

How a Casual Conversation Sparked the Expansion

McCarthy said the opportunity to expand into Wareham and move into the Old Company Store “came out of nowhere.” She said she had turned down other location offers in the past because they just didn’t feel right.

“But when I walked into the Old Company Store, it just felt right. We felt drawn to it and my ideas just kept flowing,” she said. “Sometimes opportunities come along that feel bigger than yourself, and this was definitely one of those moments.”

That moment came out of an unassuming conversation.

McCarthy said she had known Shari Aussant – also known as “Shaz” – as a customer of The Soulful Palette in Middleboro. The Old Company Store had become a retail shop in 1969, but in 1992, was on the verge of closing before Aussant’s family purchased it and kept it alive. Aussant then opened her Mermaids on Cape Cod business out of an old bus before opening a shop in West Dennis, and then expanding into the building next to the Old Company Store in 2025.

McCarthy said Aussant has come into the shop to purchase items and support the artisans, and recently decided to join their community and offer items of her own there.

“While she was setting up her display she mentioned that her storefront was vacant and offered to extend our community over into Wareham. The next day, we went and saw the Mermaid storefront, and that was basically that,” McCarthy said.

Falling in Love With Wareham’s History

However, McCarthy said her love of old buildings got the best of her, and she had to ask to see the Old Company Store building while they were there. Once inside, McCarthy said she was “completely blown away.”

“We just fell in love,” she said. “They must have known, or maybe they saw the way my eyes lit up when I asked about the store.” Either way, it was decided that The Soulful Palette would make use of both stores, and from there things moved “fast, very fast” in a whirlwind of paperwork, planning, and putting together the new locations.

Courtesy Corinne McCarthy

“The Old Company Store isn’t just another building. It carries generations of history within its walls. As soon as I walked through it, I could feel that. I found myself thinking about all the people who had walked through those doors over the years and all the stories that building has witnessed.”

While McCarthy said she could immediately see the potential of the Old Company Store, she also knew there was work to be done. After all, the building has sat vacant for almost a decade. However, she said she already has visions of people gathering and a new generation creating memories there.

“For me, it wasn’t just about renting a space,” she said. “It was about becoming part of a piece of Wareham’s history and adding our story to it.”

Courtesy Corinne McCarthy

Preservation and New Memories on Elm Street

“The Old Company Store has spent well over a century being part of the community’s story. Now we have the opportunity to fill those walls with new stories, new memories, new friendships, and new dreams,” McCarthy said. “It’s an incredible honor to be trusted with that next chapter, and I can’t wait to see what unfolds.”