12 Nebraska shops to check out
Some travelers prefer finding the hidden gems in Nebraska stores to museum-going, restaurants or recreation. And the state is home to a wealth of out-of-the-ordinary shops. Here are some of the ones we've found.
Marah's Treasures
Marah's Treasures is at 304 Broadway St. in Taylor in Loup County. The shop carries gift items and fragrances, plus life-sized plywood figures made to order, and is open Thursday and Friday afternoons.
Fort Cody Trading Post
The Fort Cody Trading Post, 221 Halligan Drive in North Platte, has a variety of merchandise. The store is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. "We have one of the best selection of western books anywhere, handmade Native American jewelry and arts, T-shirts, toys, Minnetonka Moccasins, retro soda pop, candy, hot sauces, cook books, Nebraska-made items and food, stuffed animals, souvenirs, cards and much, much more," the store's Facebook page boasts.
Marshall Custom Hats
Marshall Custom Hats, 214 Staples St., in Arthur features handmade hats made by James Marshall. “It’s amazing that about 42 percent of my customers are repeat customers," Marshall told Tri-State Livestock News last year. "Once I get them in once, they’re usually back for another one."
Hollywood Candy
Hollywood Candy is in Omaha's Old Market at 1209 Jackson St. The store specializes in "hard-to-find retro and nostalgic candies of the past" and has modern-era candy as well. It has a large collection of PEZ dispensers and retro toys and novelties.
Brown Sheep Co. Mill Store
The Brown Sheep Co. Mill Store, located at 100662 County Road 16 in Mitchell, is attached to the mill and sells the company's yarn "seconds" and other crocheting/knitting supplies. The company's yarn is known and sold worldwide. One benefit of the mill store is "seeing all the wonderful handpaints that our handpainter tries out when developing new color ways. Because these hanks are one of a kind and generally not reproduced, they are not offered to our retail customers for purchase," according to the company's website.
Cottage Inspirations
The Cottage Inspirations shop in Cambridge, 710 Nasby St., features quilting supplies as well as home decor items, including antique furniture, Gooseberry Patch cookbooks and McCall's Country Candles. The shop is owned by mother and daughter Melody Brown and Samantha Jones.
Antiquarium
The Antiquarium and Bill Farmer Gallery, 309 Water St., is in Brownville and sells used, rare and out-of-print books. The store offers some 150,000 titles and is housed in a remodeled former grade school. It specializes in foreign language books, cinema titles and fiction. The store began to 1969 in Omaha, moving to Brownville in 2008.
Master's Hand Candle Co.
Master's Hand Candle Co. in Tekamah, 3599 County Road F, has more than candles -- delectable chocolates, flowers, home decor, shopping, gifts, jewelry, purses and diva wear. The shop's website declares it "every woman's dream store." The store is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
North Platte Art And Gift Gallery
The North Platte Art and Gift Gallery, 516 N. Dewey, is open Tuesday through Saturday and has local contemporary art in a variety of mediums. The enterprise began in 1987 when a group of local artists rented a vintage downtown storefront. One of the five galleries hosts monthly competitive art shows.
Park Avenue Antiques
Park Avenue Antiques, 515 N. Park Ave. in Fremont, has furniture, dishes, linens, home decor and books, as well as a multitude of signs. The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The Keeping Room
Its website describes The Keeping Room as "a fusion of stylish antiques, unique holiday and home decor, unique fashion, food and drink and a friendly atmosphere." The Nebraska City store is at 717 Central Ave. and is open Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 10-7 and Sunday 1-4 p.m.
Yesterday's Lady
Yesterday's Lady, 113 N. Fifth St. in Beatrice, features vintage fashion in the restored 1887 Schmuck building. Proprietor Susan McLain has clothing from the 1800s to the 1960s.
Urban & Suede will offer a new take on decor for loft apartments, or, as Laura Ryan puts it, the look for “industrial living.” She promises an eclectic collection designed by artisans. “It will be unique for the entire state of Nebraska.”
Over the years, Evans has repaired 6,000 to 8,000 cuckoo clocks, and he’s probably going to fix 6,000 to 8,000 more.
The Grand Island-based enterprise will directly trade with and benefit vanilla farmers in the Comoros.
In early 2020, when COVID-19 invaded, the business quadrupled. “People were looking for anything they could get their hands on for healing. They recognized the need for holistic health during this time."
The business used to be a major Saturday night destination for those living in rural area around York. Farmers brought eggs and milk to town to sell, families did their shopping, and the harness/shoe/leather shop was a regular stop.
When a Bertrand woman began a T-shirt fundraiser to aid fire departments who battled recent southwest Nebraska wildfires, she was hoping to give back about $1,000.
Some travelers prefer finding the hidden gems in Nebraska stores to museum-going, restaurants or recreation. And the state is home to a wealth…
