SPRINGFIELD — The city’s newest retail addition to downtown is named appropriately “Downtown,” with the second line of the name being “Curiosities, Oddities & Art.”
The space at 114 State St. is one-part antique shop, one-part collectible shop and one-part art gallery. It is a collaboration between Gretchen Stibolt, Dino Baiardi and Jennifer Tatro.
Baiardi and Tatro also operate the Little Italy’s Thrift Shop at 320 St. James Ave.
Stibolt described the shop’s inventory as “very eclectic,” and that she is a “curator of antiques, oddities and curiosities.”
She is a sculptor who makes art out of found objects. Many of her creations are featured in the shop. There are also books, framed prints, vintage clothes, used jewelry and other items a person might find in an antique shop. In addition, there are items, such as soap, made by local artisans.
There are also oddities such as fossils, South American folk sculpture, a rocking chair filled with naked dolls, parts of mannequins, religious imagery and several vintage movie posters.
She admitted she is still trying to identify some of the items for sale.
In a rear area is a room filled with collectible toys and model cars.
Stibolt said it took two months of cleaning to get the space ready.
“We’re still feeling our way around,” she said.
With MGM Springfield across the street, Stibolt said, “We think this is a fabulous location.” She added she had looked at the space years ago, but “now it’s right.”
Tatro operates the part of the shop that has vintage clothing and antique jewelry. Her goal is to have an inventory with affordable price points.
“We’re constantly adding new stuff,” Tatro said.
Baiardi said his goal is to promote the arts and said the owner of the building has given them permission to make the second floor of the building — which once was offices for attorneys — into artist studios.
The store is open Wednesday through Saturday or by appointment, and for additional information call 413-214-3152.
