Sunday, February 27, 2011

The Coop Community


Scranberry Coop is all about community. We're always happy to welcome new dealers into the fold. We celebrate our customers with all kinds of extended shopping hour parties and events. We enjoy interacting with our Facebook Friends - and as of right now there are 500 of you!

And we're especially honored that the Coop Community of friends includes The Paulinskill Valley Chronicle, Heavensent Bulldog Rescue, and NJ Retro.

Haven't been to the Coop lately? Now is a great time to renew your Coop connection. We've got so much going on. Coming soon, we've got a Collectors Club, a Photography Party with extended shopping hours and the usual treats, and a way to make purchases over the phone. Keep checking in for the details. Thanks for being a part of The Coop Community!









Saturday, February 26, 2011

HeavenSent Bulldog Rescue Fundraiser 2/26


HeavenSent Bulldog Rescue is a volunteer group of bulldog lovers whose mission is to re-home bulldogs who are surrendered by their owners or find themselves otherwise without homes, landing in animal shelters or wandering the streets as strays. Volunteers provide foster care, veterinary care and rehabilitation for these needy dogs, ultimately finding them forever homes.

HeavenSent places close to 100 dogs per year. And to do so, they rely completely on donations. They do not receive government funding, they need YOU to help them help these marvelous dogs.


HeavenSent Bulldog Rescue is a 501-C-3 Non-Profit Government recognized charity. They are based in South Jersey, but their adoptive & foster families are located throughout all of NJ, eastern PA, DE and MD.

We first learned about HeavenSent through Biscuit, and her family on Facebook. We are all dog lovers here at the Coop, and we love to show our support for several charity orgs in our community who do the good work of animal rescue and aid.




You can learn more about HeavenSent Bulldog Rescue on their Facebook page, on their official website, and of course by coming to our fundraiser here at Scranberry Coop on Saturday, February 26th, from Noon thru 4pm.

There will be information available on the group, on bulldogs, and there will be merchandise to help raise funds for this very worthy cause.

You can inquire about some of the dogs for placement, and you can meet Biscuit, Ambassador and Wonder-Dog that she is, but there will not be any Bullies for adoption at this event.

Here's a great opportunity to get involved. Whether it's to learn about fostering or adopting, to ask some bullie-care questions, or to buy a T-shirt and say hi to Biscuit, we really hope you'll stop in and check out HeavenSent while you're checking out The Coop. See you there!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary Orientation

We're re-posting the information below for our friends at Antler Ridge. We believe very strongly in the great work these awesome volunteers do for the animals in our area. You might be interested in joining them. Thanks for reading this. - Scranberry Coop.


DO YOU LOVE NATURE?
DO YOU LOVE WILDLIFE?
DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

JOIN The Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary Team and make a difference this year!


Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife rehabilitation center that provides care to orphaned or injured wild life. We are licensed by the state of New Jersey to care for Fawns Raccoon, Skunks Opossums, Squirrels, Rabbits, Woodchucks and other small mammals. The Sanctuary a 120 acre preserved farm is located in Warren County, New Jersey. We are a 501©3 non profit organization. We are entirely supported by public donations and volunteers. We receive no local, state or federal funding.




The mission of Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary is to provide care and treatment to sick, injured or orphaned wild animals. Rehabilitate them back to their wild state so they can be returned to the wild. To actively educate the public to care for the ecosystems and support the environment in which they live and the wildlife they share it with. To protect and preserve our native lands for the future wildlife habitat.








Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary will host a volunteer orientation for the upcoming 2011 season. Applications are being accepted now for volunteer positions and are available on line at www.antler-ridge.com or by calling the sanctuary and reserving a spot at the orientation at 973-800-2420.


Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary Orientation

Saturday March 26th 11am-1pm

52 County Road 661, Newton, NJ 07860


Monday, February 21, 2011

The Coop About Town


We're on the cover of the Paulinskill Valley Chronicle! You can pick up a copy here at The Coop, or check it out online at this link. They're free, and they're filled with lots ads and articles about the community. It was great fun working with Beverly. We're excited about this! Please check it out.

We've got HeavenSent Bulldog Rescue in the house! They'll be here at the Coop on Saturday and we're psyched. On 2/26/11 from noon through 4pm you can stop in to get info and meet Biscuit the Ambassador of Rescued Bullies. You can learn about their fostercare system, make a donation, support the cause by buying a T-shirt, and take the opportunity to familiarize yourself with this awesome organization.

We've got a couple more months before the First Sunday Flea Markets begin again, but in the meantime, we've got a few Wine and Cheese Extended Shopping Hour Events in the works! Check back for details!

And we've got some more Facebook Friends deals and specials coming. If you aren't our FB Friend, you should be! Add us!

Thanks for your patronage. One of the things that makes the Coop great, is the great community we live in, and that means YOU. That's why we celebrate YOU! Thanks for shopping here, being our Facebook Friend, checking out the website, and spreading the word. There's something for everyone at Scranberry Coop!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

What Are Some of Your Favorite Things?

Do you like angels?

Do you like rose patterns, copper jewelry, antiques bottles? Do you like enamelware? Seahorses? Wine glasses?

Some people like clocks, or piggy banks, or the color pink. Some people just love dolls and toys. Some people love ephemera. Or fabric. Or tools.

Maybe you like crystal because of the way it feels in your hand or the way the light passes through it.

Maybe you like fairy tales, or Mexico, or Norse Mythology. Maybe you like things that make you think of the beach, or old cars, or the Yankees.

It's possible those things you like make some kind of connection for you. Maybe you like blue because it's calming. Maybe you like wood because it feels earthy.

Perhaps your connection is to a vacation that was special, or a person that made you smile. Maybe it represents something you wanted to be when you grew up, or something you're working towards now. Maybe it's a reminder of how wonderful your life is, or could be. Maybe it's inspiration. Maybe it's a memory.

Maybe it's a mystery.

Come discover your mysteries. Visit Scranberry Coop. We have owls and crystals, chess sets and cowbells, lilac patterns and snowmen. You may come in looking for a Grateful Dead album. You may leave with a shabby chic Victorian chair. You may collect vintage postcards and find prize picks every time you're here. What are your favorite things? Explore Scranberry Coop, explore your imagination.















Skylands Bank Credit Card App = $5 at The Coop! TODAY ONLY!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Shopping with Joe

"I'd rather have something that looks better after you drop it," Joe tells me in all seriousness but he's smiling while he says it. He's explaining to me what he looks for when he's on the Treasure Hunt at Scranberry Coop.

Joe's been coming every week for many years and has become one of the Coop's favorite clients.


Those irons above he explains could be used for anything from bookends to door or cabinet stops.

Joe begins his weekly tour at Treasure Map Location #1. That's the the very first booth when you walk in. The booths are numbered, in order, ending with #146, the very last booth that brings you back to the register. Any one who can count can follow the Treasure Map. It's designed so even a child can count booths and plot an item. Here at Location #1 Joe always finds something he likes.


We all have certain things we collect, certain booths we gravitate towards, and Joe is no different. He tends to stay away from the fragile. He likes brass, iron, copper, steel and wood. He likes to look at antique tools.

One of the reasons Joe comes to The Coop every single week is the quick changeover. "Other stores in this area can look like museums," he explained to me. "The same stuff is in the same spot and hasn't moved in years."

But that's not the way it is at Scranberry Coop. With about 150 different dealers at any given time, constantly coming in and out there's lots of room for change. Additionally, Joe feels most dealers here have priced their wares to move. "People can afford to shop here."

Location #32 (above) is another fav spot of Joe's. That's our "Clock Guy." He is an expert with repairing, restoring, and supplying antique working clocks.

This is a new spot that Joe likes. Location #35 is RetroNJ, and they have a very unique style and feel. Joe especially likes looking at the old cameras and equipment. He says not everything is old, but it's all interesting and pretty cool.

But bear in mind that Joe uses the term "old" in a very conservative way, which I learned as we looked at this Matchbox-type car case, Treasure Map Location #55 for $15.00. The tag states 1966. Joe said, "Ah, that's not old." Since I was born in '66 I just nod and smile at that one ;)

And speaking of cars, that's another point Joe made about The Coop.

"You can park once, close to the front door, and that's it." Joe explains it's like one-stop shopping. You have a 10,000 square foot building to walk. "It's much more convenient then driving from one store to the next, having to street park and deal with snow and traffic."

Joe gives a nice nod to Lori who keeps the Scranberry Coop parking lot plowed and clear, safe for all.

At Dave and Melanie's Treasure Map Location #63 we checked out the big blue thumbtack light, the beer signs, and some old license plates. Joe knows many of the dealers that have booths here. We chatted with Melanie as we continued our interview. Joe described the duo's wares as "oddities," things that are really fascinating and different, things you won't find elsewhere. He said even if you aren't interested to purchase a thing, it's always interesting to check it out and learn about it.

But Joe isn't just a looker and learner. He's a shopper. He tells me he buys something at least every 2 - 3 weeks. Check out this great find, only $2.00 at Treasure Map Location #83: a hammered- aluminum very clean ice-bucket that you could use as a catch-all for lots of different things. This booth and a few others belong to Carol, also known as The Pink House Lady.

"Now her items are really priced to go!" Joe tells me, and I agree!

I did a good deal of Christmas shopping myself in Carol's locations. And this adds to the quick turnover here, Joe explains. Carol is always selling stuff, so she's always bringing more and more stuff in.

'Makes perfect sense.

We checked out this vintage swing in Carol's pink booth, and then moved on. "Where else are you going to find interesting things like this?" Joe points out a vintage Barbie pink rolling pin and a pen set as he makes his way to the next aisle.

Joe mentions Map Location #42 also. The gentlemen that rents that spot brings in many items from Asia that aren't common elsewhere. He also points out some other spots he tends to slow down and check out pretty thoroughly every week.

As we came upon Treasure Map Location #126 Joe explained to me about this style: primitive, country, warm and inviting. Although this isn't his taste per se, he knows so many people that gravitiate to these items. He's done gift shopping at the Coop, and specifically at this spot.

Since Joe's here so often and knows so much about the items and the dealers, people often ask him why he doesn't try his hand at selling. He says he just enjoys shopping! He'd prefer to cruise through once a week rather than work.

He will help fellow shoppers out though. Sometimes people will ask him to keep an eye out for a certain something. And he'll oblige, sending them a cell phone pic or letting them know what's come in.
At Treasure Map Location #132 Joe pointed out this excellent assortment of tools and parts and items he gravitates towards. Joe said, "This is Kathleen and Dan's booth. They always have remarkable finds."

And that's the truth. They have a few booths, all packed with incredible and unique treasures.


Take this old brightly colored Dictionary for example. This would be a fun gift, a cool conversation starter on your desk or your coffee table, or it could be used to add a little height in your McCoy display area.

Walking through the Coop with Joe was like walking through the place with new eyes. He'd point out something or explain a way of seeing it, that had never occurred to me before. I had a great time, and I hope Joe didn't mind granting us this interview.


At Map Location #145 Joe pointed out Vintage Valentine's Day postcards and remarked, "Look how nice Joanne has this put together!" Everybody knows and loves Joanne, the Bottle Queen.

I asked Joe if he could leave us with any words of advice for our shoppers.

"Look up! Don't forget to look up!" Joe points to the top part of the booths where many items are often hanging, above our heads.

"Great advice," I said. "Some dealers really utilize their entire space."

"That," Joe said, "And some people are just really tall."

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Naughty & Nice Valentine's Day Chocolate Gifts


Mark your calendars!

On Sunday February 13th, from 2pm - 8pm
we're happy to have Candida's Confections & Crafts here at The Coop for ~

Valentine Chocolate Fiesta!

From 2pm - 5pm Candida will be presenting her "Nice" Valentine Day Chocolate gifts.
But wait, there's more!




Additionally, starting at 5pm, she'll also be offering her "Naughty" Valentine's Chocolates, too!











We'll be posting reminders plus photos of some of these upcoming treats. "Nice" Valentine's Day candies will include heart shaped lollipops, bags of hearts + hugs + kisses, long stem chocolate roses, and chocolate covered strawberries. Lots more from classic favs to innovative raves. And don't forget, the "Naughty" selection will be available to adults after 5pm.



Your honey will be happy you remembered Valentine's Day! Extended shopping hours here on Sunday 2/13 will help you out with that! Add the perfect special chocolate treat from Candida's Confections & Crafts and you're sure to be in the pink for a very Happy Heart Day!!

This image of Elizabeth Taylor advertising Whitman Chocolates for Valentine's Day is from The Saturday Evening Post from decades ago. All women want chocolate. ;)

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Seriously?



We keep saying it. We're so much more than an antiques store - Antiques and gifts. Artisan creations. Collectibles Galore. Retro Bonanza. Seriously, there's something for everybody.

Are you thinking: seriously? Something for everyone? Really?

Really! Seriously! We are not kidding you!

Kawaii notebooks and wallets. Pin-up girls for your buodoir. Classic antique furniture. Vintage alarmclocks. You don't have to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth to grab a smile here! Sweet little trinkets, lovely porcelain, hand crafted jewelry, framed black and white photographs, plus tons of musical instruments, radios, used CD's and vinyl. Beer steins. Beanie Babies. McCoy. Childhood heroes and memory triggers. From Japan to Alaska, from the 1800's 'til today. Seriously. There is something here just for YOU.

Come see for yourself. Really. Find your treasure at Scranberry Coop!