As many of you know, for over a century, a general store has been the heart of Carlisle’s town center. Whether you knew it as Daisy’s or Ferns, it’s always been a staple here—a daily touchpoint. When Ferns closed its doors this past May, our whole community felt the loss. As neighbors and local residents, we, Ben and Amy Pirri, along with our close friends Mark and Jill Kushinsky, are coming together to bring Ferns back for everyone to enjoy again.

Our Vision for Ferns

This isn’t just about reopening a store—it’s about creating a place that truly serves Carlisle. Our town needs a Ferns that reflects its spirit, provides everyday convenience, and offers a welcoming spot to gather, connect, and enjoy.

Our goals:

• A modern kitchen bringing you great coffee, breakfast, smoothies, acai bowls, sandwiches, pizzas, and family-friendly meals.

• A true general store, stocked with essentials like milk, butter, eggs, bread (and candy!) so you don’t have to leave town for the basics.

• Fresh, locally grown produce supporting our area farmers and artisans.

• A responsibly run beer and wine store.

• Expanded patios and seating areas designed to be a true gathering place for families, neighbors, and cyclists. 

We’re excited to be in conversations with Sam and Kinnari Patel of Turnpike Market in Billerica, who revitalized their own century-old store into a thriving hub of fresh food and community connection. Their ability to modernize while honoring tradition is exactly the kind of expertise we envision for Ferns.

To further bring this vision to life, we’ve also engaged Sousa Design Architects, a design firm known for both their talent and their extensive experience in hospitality and community spaces. They’ll create a setting that will honor Ferns country charm while blending modern comfort with historic character.

What We Found in Our Review — and Why We Can’t Just Reopen Tomorrow

Like you, we would love nothing more than to reopen Ferns doors tomorrow. But doing this right means being honest about what we’ve learned in our careful review of the property. That process revealed several challenges—realities we’ll need to address before Ferns can come back:

• Environmental remediation and site cleanup: The site’s past as a gas station left contamination in the ground. Permanent cleanup is required before safe, sustainable operations can resume.

• Enhanced patios and a parking reorganization are needed.

• Water and well: The existing well cannot safely support food service. A new well and upgraded water system are needed to meet modern health standards.

• Septic, plumbing, electrical, HVAC: Every major system must be replaced to safely handle daily use and keep Ferns reliable for decades to come.

• Kitchen rebuild: The current kitchen setup cannot prepare real food—it’s limited to the most basic offerings. To serve Carlisle properly, the kitchen must be relocated and rebuilt with proper ventilation, equipment, and workflow.

The Culkins family cared for Ferns with love for decades. Simply, the building itself now needs a fresh start. By investing in these updates, we can ensure that Ferns is safe, sustainable, and ready to serve Carlisle well into the future.

Learning from Carlisle’s Playground Project

When our old town playground fell into disrepair, it could have been lost. Instead, Carlisle rallied, raising the funds and rolling up our sleeves to build something extraordinary—not just a playground, but a space that reflects the heart of this community. Ferns now finds itself at a similar crossroads.

The Challenge and Our Commitment

To protect Ferns from being sold to a franchise or outside chain, we are purchasing the property with our own funds. Barbara Culkins will also continue living above Ferns rent-free.

The work ahead is significant. On top of the purchase price, renovations and remediation are expected to exceed $1.4 million. This is far beyond what a small-town general store could ever generate through sales alone, and more than we can fund personally.

Your Ideas, Your Ferns

We believe Ferns can and should move forward—but what it becomes must be shaped by Carlisle. We want to hear your ideas: What should Ferns offer? What would make it most meaningful for you and your family? Some of you may share input on what Ferns should become. Others may pledge to shop here when it reopens. And some may choose to help bridge the renovation/remediation gap with financial support. Every form of participation helps. While we don’t yet know the exact needs or the specific ways residents can help, we do know this: by listening first, we’ll shape a clear plan together for how the community can bring Ferns back. 

Keeping Traditions Alive

This fall, Ferns will once again be part of Carlisle’s Halloween tradition. We’ll decorate, hand out candy, and be there to meet you, hear your thoughts, and answer questions. In the meantime, please take our survey to help shape Ferns future.

Thank you for caring about our town and its heart. Together, we can ensure Ferns doesn’t just reopen, it thrives as a place that strengthens our community, enhances our town center, and creates something we’ll all be proud of for generations.

Sincerely,

Ben and Amy Pirri

Mark and Jill Kushinsky