'Shop Hop' raises money for Harbor Houses

There are four reasons to stop by Superior’s South End shops Sept. 28. A quartet of stores holds the first “Shop Hop for Shopaholics” 6-8 p.m. The event is part open house, part fundraiser. And, said Shabby Shed owner Lorraine Peterson, there will be treats like homemade caramels and hot apple cider at each of the stops.

“It’s more of an open house to meet the business owners,” Peterson said. “You get to know us, you see what we have.”

The hop invites visitors to explore four businesses that are more than meets the eye — Shabby Shed, Peachie’s Stained Glass, Celtic Moose Gift Shoppe and Creative Image salon.

“If you ever wondered what’s inside, stop and see,” Peterson said.

There’s more than just glass at Peachie’s, said Kim Nygaard, owner of the Celtic Moose, and there’s more than Celtic knots and cabin décor at her own shop.

“There’s just so much,” in Superior’s South End, Nygaard said.

For many visitors, it will be an introduction. Shabby Shed, which offers a mix of unique, chic, antique, sassy, repurposed and collectible items, moved to 6101 Tower Ave. in April. Celtic Moose, now at 5907 Tower Ave., opened up a month later to offer the work of 44 local artists and crafters.

Even though Creative Image salon has been in business for seven years, owner Jeanne Salveson recently added some new faces and features. Patti’s Hair and Wig, and Hair by Carrie are now lodged at Creative Image, 5901 Ogden Ave. The addition of Patti Davy and Carrie Cosgrove expands the offerings to include wigs, Arbonne health and wellness products, ear piercing and more. There is also an acupuncturist who offers services at Creative Image once a month.

“Come in, take the tour and see what we do,” Davy said.

Kathi “Peachie” Schmid has been in the stained glass business for 22 years and participated in three previous “Girls Just Wanna’ Have Fun” shop hops. Still, she said, “A lot of people have never been in the store before.” This will be the businesswoman’s last shop hop.

Peachie’s Stained Glass is set to close its doors soon. That does offer Shop Hop visitors a bonus, however. All giftware at the store is 40 percent off.

Shabby Shed will unveil its new seasonal look and a gift shop, Shabby Expressions, at the event.

The shop hop is also a fundraiser. For a $1 donation to Harbor House Crisis Shelters, shoppers can get a ticket. If they get the ticket punched at all four stores during the two-hour event, they get a gift bag and will be entered into a door prize drawing. Anyone can attend the shop hop, but only those with a ticket get a gift bag.

“Harbor House is out here in South Superior,” Peterson said, and the business owners want to help empower the women who stay there, their neighbors.

According to executive director Barb Certa-Werner, Harbor House has become the largest shelter provider in Douglas County, and the largest provider in the northern five counties for homeless. The organization provides emergency shelter and case workers help connect families to resources and education. Harbor House’s Transitional Living Center served more than 25 people last year and the organization provided shelter for 477 people, including 267 children. But the shelter had to turn away more than 300 people.

“I believe in the program; I think it’s run very well,” Nygaard said. “Because they’re my neighbors, too, I like to help out.” In addition to the shop hop, Celtic Moose is the only store in Superior offering Design by Lucinda pins. Every cent from the sale of the pins goes to Harbor House.

Shop hop tickets are currently on sale at all four businesses. They can also be purchased the night of the event.

For Peterson, the shop hop is just one more step on the path to forging a business district in Superior’s South End.

“Superior has the BID (Business Improvement District), but the BID has specific boundaries,” she said. “If you’re going to improve the business district of Superior, why stop at one street?”

The no-pressure open house shop hop is just a beginning. Plans are in the works to offer special sales during the annual South End rummage sale, which takes place on Mother’s Day weekend.

Schmid encouraged everyone to turn to local businesses first.

“When you buy local you support local business,” she said. “You’re also keeping local people employed.”

Keeping it local is what prompted Peterson’s husband to get his hair cut at the South Superior Barber Shop recently. When she discovered her tires had a slow leak Wednesday, Peterson dropped by Thatcher’s Auto Center to price new ones.

It’s all about reaching out and supporting your neighbors, she said.

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