Village Squire, 1976-07, Page 9Item and perhaps the next furniture won't sell
well but clothing will and the next, it's the
handicrafts.
The store is open regular hours in the
summer when Stratford is crowded with
visitors, but in the winter, they cut back to
opening Fridays and Saturd4s. The couple
counts on making their money during the
summer and trying to make just enough to
pay the rent and keep food on the table in
winter.
Rent, Melba says, is the main reason for a
high mortality rate in small shops in
Stratford. Their tiny out-of-the-way location
hasn't too high a rental rate, she says, but out
on Ontario street or one of the other main
shopping areas, the rent can run from $300 to
$600 a month, making it hard for small shops
to survive once the bonanza of the summer
season is over.
Besides the coming and going of so many
other small shops, Bingemans have seen
other changes over the years. The change
they most notice, and regret, is that while
there are more people, a lot more tourists,
visiting their shop, most of them are
"lookers". It used to be there'd be a lot more
"talkers", Melba says. People used to stop
and chat but nowadays most seem simply to
come in, look and stare.
Oh people are buying, Melba says, and it's
nice to do a good business but on the other
hand they didn't go into business just to make
money.
It's nice to meet people who stimulate you,
who give you words for thought," she says.
"They're getting fewer and farther be-
tween."
The couple's relationship with local people,
however, has improved over the years. In the
early years, they say, they were more or Tess
b!cklisted by many people from Stratford
• area because they were considered "hipp-
ies". Today the image seems to have worn off
and more local people are venturing into the
shop.
people are venturing into the shop.
Another change is that the couple is
providing less of the material sold in their
shop than when they opened. Originally they
did some of the crafts sold but now, Melba
says, she's just too busy. She does, however,
still paint eggs when she can find time
between kids and canning.
But though there have been changes, The
Between Shoppe remains something of a
stable element in the shifting world of small
shops in Stratford. Who'd have guessed that
eight summers ago.
Clocks on the wail.
The Between Shoppe really is between two larger buildings, giving it a free -form, rambling
appearance.
fronds
R.B.
Ayksworrh
tiILVERSSII ll I
ti 1DIO
Down the forte of Three 71ru y Ontario Street
?!f CARR A(,t11OUSE / Stratford
Selected Canadian Crafts & Antiques
Handwroughl Silver Jewellery
Pottery, Handwoven. Art
Telephone (519) 271-9185
330 Ontario St., Stratford, Ont N5A 3H8
VILLAGE SQUIRE/JULY 1976, 7