Karen
has taken a circuitous journey into the retail wine world. Originally
from Indianapolis, Indiana, she attended Indiana University and
earned a B.S. degree in Health Information Management. After five
years in hospital work in Indianapolis, she moved to Greenville
and stayed at home for 13 years while her two sons were young.
Karen
married Richard deBondt in 1994, and her enthusiasm for wine blossomed.
She transitioned from hectic health care work in Greenville and
joined the Northampton Wines staff in 1999. And while she does
not profess to be a wine “expert”, she does enjoy
the varied aspects of the wine business. She brings her organizational
skills into the picture, and also tries to add a feminine touch
to the atmosphere of the shop.
Karen
has gravitated to the purchase of wine accessories and crystal
stemware in order to embellish the variety of wine-associated
items available. In addition, she enjoys the “behind-the-scenes”
activities that make the business run more smoothly.
Wine
country vacations are a wonderful benefit of being involved in
the business. Karen and Richard have enthusiastically hosted several
group trips to California, France and Italy, and even manage to
escape on their own occasionally. Karen’s sons, Scott and
Brad, have taken turns working at Northampton Wines, and while
both are now involved in other ventures, they have knowledge of,
and appreciation for, a variety of wines.
Away
from Northampton Wines, Karen enjoys jogging, gardening and hiking…anything
outdoors, including picnics with wine.
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