By Austin Arnold, BGSU Icon intern

Judy Bronson and Carol Phillips both operate their own shops on Main Street that are nearly across from each other. One might assume that the two women would be competing for business, but in fact, that is not the case at all.

After having a conversation this January, Carol and Judy decided to work together in an effort to benefit both businesses, an idea that has worked out well for both parties.

Judy manages the Deer Creek Shoppes, 124 N. Main St., which is an antique store that has everything from nic-nacs to furniture. To create more room in her shop, Judy suggested moving some of that antique furniture over to Carol's floral shop, The Little Red Barn, 113 N. Main St.. The furniture allows Carol to display her floral arrangements a little more naturally, as if they were in an actual home.

"The display of the furniture is a lot nicer when they are decorated with her flowers," Judy said. "Things can get hidden over here, and there they are right out in the open and that has led to a lot more pieces getting sold."

Items at the Deer Creek Shoppes can get hidden because Judy has a vast and wide variety of items in her store, a variety she best describes as eclectic. And, the items in her store are not the only eclectic aspects of her store, the people who walk in are too.

Visitors, outside of the community, who may be in town because of the university, or travelers making a stop off of I-75 are drawn to Judy's store.

"I've had people from Norway, Peru and as far away as Australia in here before," Judy said.

Although the foot traffic tends to be a bit more local at The Little Red Barn, Carol said she has seen some differences in the customers since she started placing Judy's furniture throughout her store.

"There have been a lot more men in here to check out the furniture," Carol said. "A lot more will wander and look around rather than before, when many just came in to quickly make a purchase and then leave. Also, more men have been coming in with their wives to look at the furniture while the wives look at the flowers."

Carol has been operating The Little Red Barn for 14 years, and it is an establishment that has been running since 1960. The Little Red Barn in open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon.

Judy has operated Deer Creek Shoppes for three years and she is still looking for more antiques so she can replace the ones she sells. A unique aspect to her store is that she houses 35 different booths, which display antiques from individual sellers.On top of that, she has about 25 consigners, people that have a few items for sale in Judy's store as well. Judy then takes a portion of the sales on those items in return for housing them. Deer Creek Shoppes is open Monday through Thursday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.