Between Friendz began the new year with a move across the street, to better display its wide variety of artisan-crafted products, in a charming building with “a country store feel,” stated co-owner Traci Heusinkveld on Friday, January 4, 2013. Connie Decker is also co-owner of the shop.
The store is open Thursdays and Fridays, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Saturdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The nearby, former location was 121 E. Main Street, Morrison, IL. On Thursday, January 3, the business transitioned to 112 E. Main Street, the former Gallery on Main, owned by Judy Zuidema.
The ample shelves and appealing front window display remain in place. Between Friendz’s handmade merchandise has a generous place to live; vendors rent an interior space.
Lots of jewelry is available to please different tastes.
Zuidema’s daughter, Lisa Seaman, continues to sell her Velvet Pod bath and body products, shown last fall at left. You will find homemade soap; emulsified sugar body polish; goat’s milk and honey hand and body lotions; avocado shea and cocoa butters.
Shop locally for scarves, glass, Amish foods, hair bows, travel pillows, seasonal decor, paintings, and felt bracelets.
During the September 22, 2012, Open House, Heusinkveld reported 36 vendors from Bartlett, Erie, Fulton, Morrison, New Windsor, Prophetstown, Rock Falls, and Sterling, IL, and Highland, IN.
Halloween wood crafts were evident, painted by Bev Betts, of Bev’s Town-n-Country Memories. New resident Sandy Zilz, right, who retired here from Chicago, IL, showcased her Halloween and Christmas stained glass items. On January 4, she was bringing new items to display.
Heusinkveld noted they now have “39 vendors. We lost some after the holidays, but three more are interested.”
Upstairs, a loft used to house antiques when Zuidema was in business. Heusinkveld liked that possibility.
“We are working on getting some antiques” she said.
It would be pleasant to see antiques for sale again on the upper floor.
Currently artwork is displayed there. There are paintings, pottery and ceramics, jewelry, and wall decor. Artist Amy Given, who can be found painting at Between Friendz, has work on display. Her easel and materials could easily fit the space, and two large windows offer northern light.
A 2013 Open House will celebrate the new location of Between Friendz, Heusinkveld added, but a date has not been arranged. You will not have trouble finding the new spot.