Burrillville couple brings unique, handmade creations to Chepachet at newly opened Big John’s Wood Joint

GLOCESTER – Wall Street business indicators may be fluctuating as spring begins, but the shopping and dining district of Route 44 in Glocester, spanning from the Smithfield border in Harmony to the Chepachet Village, is buzzing with homegrown companies, and the newest village occupant is Big John’s Wood Joint, a décor and accessories store that opened this past weekend.  

“We didn’t do bad at all,” said John Scungio, co-owner of the store about the opening day of Big John’s.

“We’re very happy with the way it’s turned out,” said Lisa Scungio, John’s wife and store co-owner. 

“I like our spot,” she said of Big John’s location, just behind Vanilla Bean, noting that the buzzing village is growing and “used to have just one area,” of small businesses. 

The Scungios’ store offers functional, decorative wood products such as ready-made and custom furniture, plant stands, signs, trays, bird houses, pet accessories, and other things the couple handcrafts in their woodworking shop in Burrillville. In their new Chepachet store, the couple also provides space for other crafters. 

“We have seven vendors that we hand selected because we wanted specific items and quality for the store, most of whom we have gotten to know over the past several years doing craft shows,” explained Lisa.

Mama Mac Creations from Uxbridge. Mass. offers “bowl cozy, bags, keychains;” Glow Creations from Millville, Mass. has “unique glow jars;” My Sewing Obsession from Douglas, Mass. provides “embroidered towels, journal covers, reading pillows;” Mama Bear Clay Creations from Foster has “earrings, propagation stations;” Sophie’s Dip and Sauces is from Cranston; Farmwicks Candle Company is from Blackstone, Mass. and Blue Bumble Bee Creations from Randolph, Mass. sells “wood flower arrangements.” 

The Scungios made everything that’s a wood product in their Chepachet Big John’s store, said the husband.

“We are a good team for making stuff,” he said.

In fact, John even made the cabinets, the shelving, and the check-out counter that display the goods. The smooth and gleaming check-out counter, he notes, was crafted from maple wood salvaged from an old bowling alley in Westerly.

Married 24 years, the Burrillville couple embarked on a new venture three years ago. Previous to plunging into small business, Lisa was a project manager in the healthcare field.

“We started this together; he was semi-retired and not just sitting around on his hands,” she said.

John, a contractor building and remodeling houses and other structures, taught his wife the craft of woodworking. 

“It was a big learning curve,” she said. “I really enjoyed it.”

Her husband’s learning began back in a woodworking class at Blackstone Millville Regional School. 

“I really got hooked on it,” he said. 

In 2022, the couple was successfully selling their creations at craft shows in Rhode Island such as the Burrillville Arts & Crafts Festival, the Beef Barn Artisan Fair and shows at Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort. They also set up for sales at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, and up in Maine, said John . 

“We do very well in Maine,” he said.

Their wares received such favorable feedback that the owners say they kept trying new products.

“Themes people are interested in include dogs, chickens, music, nautical,” Lisa said.

She learned to use a laser engraver machine that burns such images into wood. Among the lasered creations now for sale are Christmas ornaments, serving trays and gift card holders.

“She does a lot of lasering,” said John, sounding proud.

The couple manufactures products with meaning “that might touch someone,” said the female half of the business partnership. At least one of the products, a sign, has a deeply personal meaning. The sign reads “F.U. Cancer,” and it was created in remembrance of a friend of the couple’s who said those words when trying to battle the disease. The friend passed away, explained John.

Selling merchandise at festivals has now evolved into owning a brick and mortar establishment.

“We wanted to try a store,” said Lisa.

“This enables us to do more than a 10 X 10 booth, including custom orders,” explained John.

Mindful of those purchasing the skillfully made products, he buys supplies in bulk “to get as much savings as I can,” which he passes on to customers.

“A decent product at a decent price,” is what you’ll get at Chepachet Village’s newest retailer, he said.

Unlike fickle Wall Street, small business is growing in the Main Street business area of Chepachet.

“The community has been very welcoming, the businesses down here, and the Glocester Business Association has great events for members,” said Lisa.

Visit Big John’s Wood Joint at 15 Money Hill Road Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or learn more at https://bigjohnswoodjoint.com/