Wednesday, September 29, 2021

UPMADE

 I recently went into New Hope on one of my jaunts back home to the Casa. Once back,  I have three days to myself ( I could get used to three day weekends, just saying)  and decided to go into New Hope and see how everyone is fairing. Life is slowly returning to the town after the ravages of the pandemic claiming shops and business, but the latest tornado a few weeks back, wrecked havoc on the area very badly... and Ida, gave a set back as the Delaware yet again went over it's banks. The day I went,  all seems to be back to mostly normal. On my way to favorite French Bakery,  I discovered a new Shop called Upmade, and had the most friendly owner I ever met.

During the pandemic, for me at least, I have become way more supportive of small business only. Now more then ever, I'm avoiding big box retailers and chains in general, the customer service is just not there, and I've never been a online shopper for anything, if rarely. I like to support my local shops first and I love the sense of community. This place was great. Everything the owner carried is either made by local artisans, or from other small business, helping other smalls. The shop had everything from novelties to useful gift items, silly gifts, arty items and art work, and unique items made of recycled materials, and oodles of earth conscience care products and candles...I'm a huge sucker for those. 

Adored these lunch bags...


The scents were wonderful.

Thank goodness I now know where to buy ball wash!!!!

Time for  a seance..

A local lady makes these mice.
 I may have to go back and get a holiday one for my tree this year.

One of those jars of smug sticks came home with me. I love the smell of them over incense. And always nice to keep the bad spirits and omens out.

The staff and owner of this place impressed me most in addition to their wide assortment of fun and unusual offerings, which is why I like to shop small and local. The owner told me upon visiting New Hope just once it was love at first sight some years ago, so when the opportunity came along to contribute some magic to the town, he didn't need to think twice. I can't remember the last time I was so happy in a store and enjoying every corner. I was so impressed with the offering here, who knows, maybe a goodie basket will be the prize for the next parlor game winner?!? It's just nice to see this lovely little hamlet hanging in. They don't call it New Hope for no reason.

44 comments:

  1. What a great shop! I love places like that and would visit every day if I lived nearby. I hope they thrive. It sounds like they deserve to.

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    1. The day I was there Mitchell, it seems it will be a fun shop and they are ever rotating their wears with new items. I can imagine on weekends they are nuts. This will be the first autumn since the pandemic hit to have the huge crowds back. Autumn is the most popular time for New Hope tourism...with our ghost tours, foliage onlookers and antique marketing. The summer and autumn periods is when most of the merchants make their money.

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  2. God, I love these kinds of shops. All the cool things you never knew you need [Ball Wash] until you found them!

    We haven't lost many small businesses to the pandemic, possibly because our city officials won't allow big stores or corporate chains in our downtown core [they refused to allow a Starbucks into Camden town center] and so we've able to support our local shops and such for take away or baked goods or tchotchkes.

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    1. New Hope is much the same way. No big box or chain within a 15 mile radius is near the town. Except a Starbucks. They were only allowed in if they persevered the building their in and gave back to the community. Even the hardware store here is a True Value. And the owner is a hot daddy! But still with the pandemic, the shops took a hit since they couldn't be open for close to five months, while the eateries were at least able to do carry out and curbside. New Hope will always be special.

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  3. Very nice. The Mom & Pop stores are filled with great finds.

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  4. "Freud's Wash Fufillment," LOL!

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  5. I have always loved seeing your town, and good to hear it's coming back. I saw several things I would buy. Loving those candles. And I couldn't help but noticed what the Ella Fitzgerald about at the Playhouse???? And mostly importantly you help small business not corporate greed.

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    1. You have a good eye. Yes, singer Freida Payne will be here for three days singing her tribute to the legendary singer Ella!!!

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  6. We were just in there too! I came back from the beach and my daughter took me to New Hope of the day. It was a lovely day spent...and we were in that shop. I got each of my kids one of those lunch bags, and myself some bamboo tea towels. I too have had it with chain store and big box stores...and their worst then ever now being short handed. I use target for bulk items and cleaning and paper goods, but everything else is small shops and boutiques for me. I miss New Hope. Maybe I can let you know when I get back over and we can finally meet and have lunch one day! Id love that!

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  7. Shop local at every opportunity. And pop in and support that local theatre, too, btw.

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  8. New Hope is this area's best kept jewel. That shop is a hoot. I too love those lunch bags and how they have them displayed. And being a soap freak, wouldn't mind trying some of those.

    And like you said, they don't call it New Hope for no reason. It's been a charming river town since the 1800's.

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  9. That shop looks really cool. My coffee hasn't kicked in, but I had to wipe some of it off my screen thanks to that charcoal body wash!

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    1. I told the Lad I got some charcoal soap. He texted back "Oh great, now your ass is gonna taste like a charcoal briquette."

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  10. I like to stand in the middle of shops like these and smell.

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  11. We have got to make it up there

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  12. Love places like this.

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  13. Oh my dog! That's my kinda shop. I can smell it from here.
    Small, independent shops are as rare as hens teeth where I live. I have to travel at least 12 miles to the Ribble valley. Lots of great shops there.
    I could spend a long time in that little shop. My credit card would be smoking!

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    1. If you come here one day and I come over to you, we shall show each other around!!! Could you imagine?

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  14. Shopping small and local should be the eleventh commandment!
    Loved the lunch bags! I have a paper one I got in a street fair years ago and it's still usable! Loved the mice, too and I don't even put up a tree!
    I applaud your shopping local. You're awesome

    XOXO

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    1. It became a real topic for me during the pandemic. I make it a point now more then ever to shop small and local.

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  15. Fun place, glad they are there for
    you to enjoy.
    xoxo :-)

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  16. Blogger ate my comment and I ain't doin' it again!

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    1. Jimmy, I'm sure a little ball wash would make you feel a whole lot better.

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    2. I have been having the same problems all day Jimmy and every blog and couldn't even access some blogs. This is starting to get more frustrating then I care to deal with anymore. This is my second time with this comment and its my own blog!!!!

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    3. How weird. I haven't had any problems for quite a while - and you know me, if I find the gnomes at Blogger are fucking about with stuff, I tend to make merry hell about it! Jx

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    4. I have no idea what is going on. But today...every blog i read I had to comment twice...because of comments wiped out or got a message about clearing cache or couldn't get pass the parental message some blogs use before entering. I need a sniffner.

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  17. I'd shop in my local town if it had a shop as nice as that; all we have are endless nail salons, barbers, mobile phone shops and charity shops. Apart from that, nada.

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    1. Snap. Wood Green has nothing as "posh" or eclectic as this. We'd have to travel to somewhere "hippy-ish" like Camden Market, or somewhere "chi-chi" like Hampstead Village for anything even slightly similar... Jx

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    2. Our fair hamlet is filled with these little shops and of different variety. both side of the river. Christina above has said the same thing of her area.

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    3. Lucky you. Christina has to drive twelve miles to get to similar. I'd have to change Tube three times to do the same. Hey ho. We make do with what we've got, I suppose. At least we have some independent food shops (butchers, greengrocers, fishmongers; Turkish, Greek and East European emporia) we do support on occasions... Jx

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    4. I'd have to drive over to the posh part of the Cotswolds to try and find nice shops where the Chippy set waste their money to buy Himalayan pink mountain salt that cost more per pound than most peoples' pensions and no doubt tastes pretty much like ordinary salt. Otherwise it's Oxford and I haven't been into central Oxford for years apart to go to the Ashmolean. However Oxford lost all its independent shops decades ago - no-one but large concerns could afford the business taxes.

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    5. I hope one day to see the Cotswolds. From what I've seen it is so picturesque Helen. And yes to your question of Himalayan sea salt. My aunt, who is a Julia Child snob cook, uses it and it does taste the same. I use pink sea salt but the brand I use is cheap. I like it's coursness.

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  18. Delightful post..and three cheers for supporting local businesses….I try to do the same as their efforts add give so much to the positive character of community!

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    1. If things don't change...I suspect soon there won't be a sense of community or small business to par take of.

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  19. what a shop! marvellous!

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  20. When I'm back out that way next month I want to check this place out and get one of those New Hope mugs! And maybe catch a lunch with a hawt bucks boys if he's around?!?!?!

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    1. The place would be great if you want to get creative for intresting stuffing stuffers.

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  21. How fun. I miss being a tourist and shopping. I can't wait for the day when going into a store isn't a matter fraught with anxiety and due to a life necessity. Gay men are not meant to live by necessity alone. We need frills. And fun. And humor. Kizzes.

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    1. I don't have such worries with that here. During the week the town is a ghost town, so there is never more than 4 , or even none in a shop. But come the weekend it is packed. You so don't want to know what I do for frills.

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  22. My comment earlier today also disappeared into the black hole of Blogger, so I've rubbed all of my rabbit feet and will try this again....

    What a great way to spend some time -- I also like browsing local eclectic shops and vintage/antiques/second-hand stores! I especially enjoy our local Charles Callebaut chocolatier who always hands out free samples, LOL!

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    1. I had your problem all day yesterday on every blog Tundra, so I feel your pain. And you can pass up on free samples of chocolate?

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  23. I love the concept behind that shop. I wish I could set up such a shop, but setting up any kind of shop is an expensive undertaking.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Yeah it is! And that's why it's such a shame more don't support small and local. It just seems easier and less time to order amazon and shop big box. But then there is no sense of community.

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  24. What a lovely little shop - you'll never be stuck for an impromptu gift now!

    I love those "Stay Weird" pencils (that's not a hint, btw)

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!