The Hub March 2016 | Page 22

S H O P H O P The Other Bird 131 Elliott Street West 519 567-7463 www.facebook.com/TheOtherBird What is The Other Bird and why should our readers be excited? The Other Bird is a collection of hand-picked vintage clothing, accessories and housewares. The shop is located upstairs of Rino’s Kitchen & Ale House, 131 Elliott St. W and is open Wednesday and Friday 6 to 9 p.m. It’s very exciting to have the opportunity to open my shop in such a great location. I’m looking forward to sharing my vintage collection and hope that customers will share the same enthusiasm as I do about vintage goods. How is The Other Bird different from the competition? The Other Bird is different in a sense that the vintage goods in my shop are a collection of what I have picked and are not necessarily the same as what other vintage store owners have chosen for their stores. Every collector has their own style and taste which makes each store different in itself. The likelihood of finding the same dress in my shop in another vintage shop in Windsor is pretty slim. Also, the location of my shop provides a very unique opportunity to eat delicious food, have a beverage, including craft beer and shop one-of-a-kind vintage finds. There is no other place in Windsor like that. Why did you choose Elliot Street as your present location? I chose this location for various reasons. The historical house is the perfect setting for the shop because it has an old-fashioned feel that adds to the vintage shopping experience. Also, the cost of the space is reasonable for someone starting out a business and is only open a few days a week. Most importantly, I share a space with great people like the staff and owner (Josh Fraser) of Rino’s Kitchen & Ale House, as well as the Windsor Independent. Does the name have a story behind it? When I was trying to decide on a name for my vintage collection I realized that I had an affinity for “collecting” and I enjoyed two of my hobbies for similar reasons. For me, collecting vintage items and bird-watching are one in the same. The gratification I get when I spot a bird, especially an uncommon one, is very much the same as when I find something vintage while shopping. Mind you, there is one obvious difference; I cannot take the bird home with me where as I can purchase the vintage item. Nonetheless, I find both of these interests challenging and rewarding.