Village Squire, 1976-07, Page 5The Betwee;l. Shoppe's
the grand old lady
of Stratford's
alternative shops
i
One might walk right past the Between
Shoppe in Stratford and never know it was
there. They might, that is, but for the trail of
red footprints leading around the corner from
Downie street to George Street and right to
the door of the shop. Curiousity leads a lot of
visitors to follow the footprints and discover
the little shop.
The name is as apt as can be. The shop is
sandwiched between larger buildings, like a
sort of afterthought. Yet despite the location
and the other disadvantages, the Between
Shoppe is now the granddaddy of the little
alternative shops in Stratford.
"We've seen a lot come and go," says
Melba Bingcman who with her husband Dan
is now in her eighth summer of running the
shop.
Way back then the couple started with
51000 (how far would it go now, Melba
wonders) and the idea that they wanted to
reach young couples in the 25-35 age bracket.
They tried to find original decorative ideas. In
those days that included things like sheepskin
rugs. Dan held down another job for about
two years but for the last six, they've
managed to make a living from the shop.
Melba herself hal also held down different
part-time jobs, but in recent years the shop,
her family and canning and perserving and
other chores aroung their small farm outside
Stratford has kept her too busy for other jobs.
The shop now is an interesting rambling
little place with odd shaped rooms, varying
ceiling heights and different levels. Original-
ly it was a tiny little space where the couple
sold just handicrafts, but about four years
ago, the space next door became available
and they expanded into it. The new section
serves as an antique store now. Dan buys the
antiques and finishes many of them himself,
then sells them in the little shop.
So now there are actually two little shops
within a shop. The original part of the
building still features handicrafts and
Melba Bingeman has been operating The Between Shoppe with husband Dan for eight years.
exclusive clothing. Its walls and ceiling are
cluttered with goods as every square inch is
utilized. Step up into the antique section and
there's a different atmosphere again. Here
the walls are lined with burlap and
barnboard. Old clocks tick away, giving a
quiet restful feeling. The rooms are small but
jammed with beautiful antiques. Old
handbills and posters brighten the walls.
.The business has evolved over the years.
Besides the furniture, the clothing sold in the
shop is a change from the original concept. It
came about when another store went out of
business and the couple were able to pick up
the stock at bargain prices Once started,
they've provided an alternative place to shop
for people looking for such things as clothes
made out of natural fibres.
Most of the handicrafts sold are locally
made. In the' middle of the interview, for
instance, a stained-glass craftsman from negr
Dublin arrives to show samples of his latest
creations in tiffany lamp shades. There are
wooden toys made by a local woodworker. A
large selection of leather watchbands come
from a leather worker at Conn. A shelf of
candles are the work of a local candlemaker.
Some things, like jewellery used to be
imported, but now come from Canada,
though from British Columbia. There ars'
advantages to having suppliers close at hand
Melba says. .
One of the most important assets in
running a small store, she says, is patience•
Sometimes something will sit around the shop
for a long time without selling, she says; then
suddenly go. There was, for instance, the
case of a pretty smoked glass pitcher and
glasses set which the couple fell in love With
and bought for the store. It didn't sell and
didn't sell and finally they put it away in
storage for a while, then brought it out and it
sold...five years after it was bought.
The variety of the shop has become an
economic asset for the couple. One day.
perhaps, it'will be the furniture that is the big
VILLAGE SQUIRE/JULY 1976, 3