Our Story
Caravan of Dreams began in November, 2000, in a tiny space at the back of Arcata's Jacoby Storehouse. But the story begins long before that...
...in 1986, when Nancy Anderson and her husband Mac agreed to become the concessionaires at Richardson Grove State Park. We got the keys to the Lodge, and our daughter, Laurie, then 8 years old, stood at the doorway and said, "These are the keys to our future." We were starting a family business, with no experience, but with a desire to live in a beautiful place and do something together.
Learning the ropes
The first year was chaotic and sometimes comical, as our first customers perused the huge display of rice cakes and asked, wistfully, "Do you have any marshmallows?" We got marshmallows, and Hershey bars, and all the rest of the camping diet. After a year we added a gift shop and this is when we found our calling. We discovered a whole colony of artisans who not only loved the redwoods, but who knew how to create beautiful things from this gorgeous wood. We discovered trade shows and a whole world of business we never knew about, but we always gravitated toward hand-made, Fair Trade, and things that were representative of the world around us. When, after 15 years, the park concession was no longer viable, Laurie, then a student at Humboldt State, suggested we launch a new business in Arcata.
In honor of Laurie
Mac christened the new store Caravan of Dreams.
Two years later we moved to the new building at 9th and H, our present location. With more space, we could go shopping and stock more of the items we loved: jewelry, pottery, redwood, and accessories. Time passed. The store blossomed. Then a great tragedy befell us. Then, when Laurie became ill and died in 2015 of an untreatable cancer, if was our friends, staff and loyal customers who kept us going. Caravan of Dreams kept us focused on working toward the future, to honor Laurie and the community that was so important to her.
Two years later we moved to the new building at 9th and H, our present location. With more space, we could go shopping and stock more of the items we loved: jewelry, pottery, redwood, and accessories. Time passed. The store blossomed. Then a great tragedy befell us. Then, when Laurie became ill and died in 2015 of an untreatable cancer, if was our friends, staff and loyal customers who kept us going. Caravan of Dreams kept us focused on working toward the future, to honor Laurie and the community that was so important to her.
Today's Caravan of Dreams
In 2016 the opportunity arose to expand. The shop doubled in size, giving us more elbow room, and making space for more of the things we love. We feel the store is complete, even as it evolves and changes with the times and tastes of a new generation of shoppers. But our core values are the same: beauty, function, value, handmade and Fair Trade. And throughout all of these years, we have had the gratifying experience of meeting people from all over the world as they travel through this beautiful place we call home. We are grateful for our talented and faithful staff, our loyal customers, and all of our Caravan friends, near and far.
This is Caravan. This is us.
This is Caravan. This is us.
“I often find just the right out-of-the-ordinary items here to put together amazing gifts. We love Caravan!"
Dottie, Humboldt County
“Fun and frugal! Art and gift items at great prices. I appreciate how you search out the best priced items for your customers. I will be back!”
Lori, Humboldt County
“When I’m heading to Humboldt County, my first stop is usually Caravan of Dreams. They have such a wonderful selection to fit just about anyone’s taste. Whether I need a card to send to a friend, a piece of art, or a pair of earrings, they always seem to have just what I need."
Suzanne, Sonoma County