Find handmade, vintage items at The Store Next Door
The Store Next Door offers a variety of handmade and vintage items. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
A trio of friends have collaborated to open The Store Next Door at 531 S. River Park Drive, in the same building as the Driftwood Diner. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
By Audrey Posten
A trio of friends have collaborated to open The Store Next Door in downtown Guttenberg. Located at 531 S. River Park Drive, in the same building as the Driftwood Diner, the business offers a variety of handmade and vintage items.
Ann Moore from the Driftwood Diner dreamt up the idea with Kelly Roth and Maggie Fensterman after hearing numerous customers express interest in antiques. Moore knew Roth was a long-time vintage collector, while Fensterman was crafty.
“And I had the space,” she said. “The person who had [the previous business] Picket Fence did some of her catering over there and I was using it for storage. So it was empty. The three of us did some remodeling in the front half and it all fell into place.”
The Store Next Door opened a few weeks ago. Since all the women have full-time jobs, Moore said it will be open on weekends for now, but she or one of the waitresses at the Driftwood Diner can let customers in to look around on weekdays.
Fensterman’s handmade items, including towels and tumblers with catchy designs and sayings, are available. Roth has also filled the small space with vintage treasures.
“I like to collect old stuff. Lots of retro and mid-century modern,” Roth said. “I bring in new stuff all the time. It’s fun to decorate with.”
The women said others are consigning antiques as well, and hand painted pieces, woodworking and sewn items add to the collection of handmade goods.
“It’s still a work in progress. You really don’t know what you’re going to do until you get into a space,” Roth said, “but it’s been a lot of fun.”
So far, items are bringing a sense of nostalgia for customers.
“Most people come in here and say, ‘My grandma had this and it was always one of my favorite things.’ I love that,” said Roth. “It’s something we need. We kind of live in a chaotic world, so it’s nice to come in here and have a nice memory get stirred up.”
The Store Next Door’s proprietors hope the business adds to Guttenberg’s charm.
“Guttenberg is so beautiful. It’s a fun destination,” Moore shared. “It’s nice to get more businesses and attract people to come to the area.”
Roth believes it can entice visitors to stay longer and check out all the community has to offer.
“We want to be able to give back to town and give people who come here to visit something to do and keep them coming back,” she added.
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