Lots of people ride through the small borough of Englishtown on a daily basis. Some stop at the local businesses, churches or homes situated along the main corridor in the town. Others stop at Sanford Park for an outing; and some stop for meetings or sightseeing at the historic Village Inn (even George Washington stopped there during the Revolutionary War). Many others pass through the borough on their way to someplace else.
AMY ROSEN Kathy Bien has opened Shoppe for the Holidays in the Woodruff house on Main Street in Englishtown. A collection of artists and crafters are displaying their work just in time for the holidays. Kathy Bien wants to give people one more reason to stop and enjoy the historic community, so she has opened the house she owns with her husband, John, at 7 Main St., to the public for the holiday season and she is calling it Shoppe for the Holidays. The exhibit/ sale will run through Dec. 23.
Shoppe for the Holidays is a multi-artist exhibition featuring affordable and unique collections of handcrafted items suitable for gift giving or to keep for oneself. Objects of fine art, sculpture, jewelry, fashion accessories, photographs, home décor and more are displayed throughout the lower level of the building. Information about the artists who created the pieces gives visitors insight into the people who created the unique work. Bien fills in the details as people browse through the displays. According to Bien, many artists will change week to week, providing diversity and freshness to the shopping experience.
The Biens purchased the 175-year-old Woodruff House 10 years ago and Kathy ran her clothing and manufacturing business from the home. The business no longer exists at that location, but the historic home stands proudly in the center of town on the site of a grist mill, across from the picturesque Lake Weamaconk.
According to a document currently on display at the house, it dates back to the 1830s and was owned by Jacob Keeler in 1850. Dr. Asher T. Applegate bought the property and lived there until his death in 1932. Dr. Ralph Woodruff purchased the house from the Applegate estate and continued to serve his patients there until he retired in 1979. Many local residents were brought into the world in that home by Applegate and Woodruff.
Bien, like many residents and business owners in Englishtown, is passionate about helping to create more of a Main Street village atmosphere in the borough. So when local artists Julia Rivera and Suzanne Rader approached her with an idea to host a holiday exhibition, Bien was thrilled. They envisioned an event where people can browse and purchase the works of multiple artists.
“What I and many others would love to see in Englishtown is a walk up and down Main Street,” Bien said. “There are so many great businesses here owned by the nicest people. There’s the Main Street Deli, the ice cream parlor, an Italian restaurant, an antique store, a nice mechanic, a great cake place called Francesca’s Cakery, Rick’s Saddle Shop, a fabric shop, and a drapery shop, which just opened. There’s also the Hanging Place, which does picture framing and has an art gallery. There are a lot of interesting places in town. The Village Inn is one of the most historic landmarks in Monmouth County. There’s a nice stocked lake. We even have our own Quick Chek, a new strip mall and three traffic lights now!”
To help welcome people to the town and to add to the ambience of Shoppe for the Holidays, Bien hosts special receptions on Saturday evenings from 6-10 p.m. that feature live music and treats. On Nov. 8 Eddy Cooper, the president of the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation, played the guitar and sang songs while Bien offered guests hot cocoa and cake. Nov. 15 was Hot Apple Cider Nite with music by Series of Shocks. Bethe Burns and Vic Schioppo will perform sophisticated jazz on Dec. 6. More featured musical artists will be announced.
Upcoming themes will include Hot Java and Apple Pie Nite on Nov. 29, a tea party to be hosted by Kirsten H. Kristensen of Tea4U on Dec. 6, Chili and Cornbread Nite on Dec. 13, and Popcorn and Soda Nite on Dec. 20.
“The exhibit opened Nov. 1 and is gaining momentum,” Bien said. “We are still accepting submissions from talented area artists looking to sell affordable, handcrafted fine art, sculpture, jewelry, fashion accessories, home objects, photography, etc.”
Displays featured include oil painting on canvas and wood as well as silk scarves created by Debbie Weber of North Arlington; original and giclee (high quality reproductions) of fine oil paintings by Annette Alessi of Garnet Valley, Pa.; unique glass framed collages and vintage bottle cap pendants by Tracye Altman of Freehold; beaded and semi-precious gemstone jewelry and sterling silver fairy pendants by Lucy Tkachenko of Virginia; and oil paintings, hats, jewelry and sculptures by Julia Rivera of Howell.
Bien noted that one of Rivera’s pieces was purchased by actor George Clooney at another exhibit.
Also participating is Christine Clark of Middletown, who creates bookmarks and gemstone, twisted wire, and Swarovski crystal jewelry. Cathy Sansevere of Toms River has abstract pastel paintings on canvas and on T-shirts as well as Egyptian-inspired art on parchment that she personalizes for clients using hieroglyphics.
Gerda Liebmann of Highlands will have artwork and hand-knitted tea cozies; Shannon Silver of Manalapan will display quilted items for the home; Darla Hall of Brick Township will display embroidered art; Diane Cypser of Monroe Township will display hand-beaded jewelry; Bonnie Riddell of Freehold Borough will display seed bead jewelry; and Jacqueline Chesley of Asbury Park will show mosaics.
High quality prints and original oil paintings created by Mark Kolessar, the owner of Around the Corner Art Studio in Freehold, are tastefully displayed on and around a focal point of a steel bed with black satin sheets and a fireplace mantel in one of the many rooms in the building.
Upon entering the house an array of candles made by Bien’s husband, John, fills the room with pleasurable fragrances.
“We invite you to enjoy shopping and dining and exploring history in our quaint village of Englishtown,” Bien said.
Shoppe for the Holidays is open daily from 2-10 p.m. Payment is by cash or check only. For information on visiting, presenting art, or performing, call 732-446-6447 or email [email protected].