Neweurekans open new business in newer clothes

Across the U.S. there has been concern about the large numbers of small businesses that have closed because of the pandemic. Eureka Springs is bucking the trend with a number of enterprises opened by entrepreneurs in the midst of the restrictions and challenges of the Covid-19.

Toni Johnson and her sister-in-law, Heather Johnson, moved to Eureka Springs a year-and-a-half ago from Oklahoma City.

“We vacationed here twice, and the second time we knew we wanted it to be our forever home,” Toni said. “Heather and I love sales. When we moved here, we noticed there were thrift stores, but not a lot of up-to-date clothing offered. So why not do what we love, sell affordable clothes with a mixture used and new?”

They brainstormed about what to name the store. It is not consignment, it’s resale selections that are fashionable, but inexpensive. They settled on the name Hippie Dippy Thrifty, which opened July 1 at 3022 E. Van Buren next to Common Sense Cellular and Metal Feathers.

“Due to the pandemic, we opened later than planned,” Toni said. “The biggest thing about our store is we wanted to separate ourselves from other stores by not having a lot of clutter. Our store is minimalistic, bright and vibrant. We didn’t want a crammed store. Sometimes when people when come in they say, ‘Is this it? There isn’t more?’ Yes, this is it. We want it to look clean and smell nice. It smells like lemons, which kind of goes with the yellow walls.”

The partners do most of the shopping themselves. They accept donations of clothing and accessories that are not torn or stained.

“We’ve had a great response to the store,” Johnson said. “We have had a lot of love, light and positivity put on us. We do our best about sanitizing, wearing masks, and making sure customers wear masks, as well.”