The woman with long red hair who greets you from behind American Harvest’s counter is store owner Sharon Mattern. The daughter of an artist and an antique dealer, Sharon’s interests in crafts and antiques were established at an early age. Sharon was also a young entrepreneur. “My parents would allow me to have a lemonade stand,” she remembers, “but they wouldn’t let me sell my old toys, which is what I really wanted to do.”

Sharon’s husband, Rodger Mattern, assists in the store and manages American Harvest’s website when he isn’t running his own accounting business. Sharon and Rodger began collaborating their creative and business skills as high school sweethearts in Fremont, California in the late 1960’s. They sold painted rocks at art shows to earn money for dates. “We would collect the rocks together, I would prime them, and Sharon would paint designs on them,” Rodger recalls, “They would sell for 50 cents a piece.” Rodger remembers that, even in high school, Sharon dreamed of running her own store, “She used to love visiting an independent shop in Mission San Jose. Every time we would go in, she would say, ‘I want a store just like this some day’.”

Sharon and Rodger married after they graduated from high school, and a few years later they began a family. While raising her two boys, Sharon sold at craft and antique shows throughout the bay area. Sharon loved working at shows in Pleasanton. “Customers in Pleasanton would always ask me why I didn’t open my own store in downtown,” she says, “but you never know who will be instrumental in opening the door for you.” Sharon told the receptionist at her dentist’s office that she would love to open a store in downtown Pleasanton. The receptionist called Sharon later with information about an available storefront on Main Street.

The Matterns opened American Harvest on Main Street in downtown Pleasanton on Sharon’s birthday in 1997 (“So I will always know how many years I’ve been in business,” Sharon says). “I knew this was my opportunity,” reflects Sharon about opening the business, “and what is incredible is that I still have relationships with customers who came into the store on our very first day.” Pleasanton-based artist Nicol Sayre was one of the first customers Sharon met on opening day. American Harvest began carrying Nicol’s crafts in 1998, and Nicol has since become recognized nationally.

“I love what I do,” Sharon says. “What I like best are my relationships with my customers and being a part of their lives. I also like to support small artists that make specialty items, and my customers like getting to know these artists too.” Sharon also enjoys being a few steps ahead of design trends, “We always feel like we’re a few years ahead of the mainstream. I like introducing my customers to new ideas.”

When asked why decoration and design are important, Sharon replies, “The home is an oasis, especially here in the bay area where people are so busy. My customers are nesters, and they want to make their homes comfortable and welcoming.” Sharon also recognizes the creative aspects of décor, “One of the nicest compliments we’ve gotten was from a customer who said that our store inspires her creatively. I love the idea that our store can encourage people to have a new outlook on life. ”