Crafty couple brings treasures to Brewster
Jim Schumaker, left, and Connie Schumaker in the store
Jim and Connie Schumaker, proprietors of Tattered and Worn and Just Ice Cream and a Bit More, grew weary of traveling in the United States selling their crafts. They began traveling in 1976 and attending craft shows that lasted three to four days.
“We enjoyed traveling and meeting the people. We were always busy at the shows; however, it became too difficult to set up and tear down the shows,” Connie Schumaker said. “We drove through Brewster often and really liked the small town. We live north a few miles.”
In 2015 they decided to stop traveling and set down roots at 217 Wabash Ave. S. in Brewster and opened Tattered and Worn. It began as a rustic, vintage, antique, mixed with modern and shabby chic home décor store; however, it has evolved into a store stocked with homemade items crafted by Jim Schumaker, flowers, outdoor décor and room after room of items. Customers also will find furniture for sale, repurposed items such as metal and items made from old license plates.
Jim Schumaker creates wooden items, frames different sayings for walls and makes larger wooden items in his work shop. He purchases the wood locally and uses different tools to create the items.
The couple enjoys talking to the customers, and Connie Schumaker said the customers are free to walk around the store without someone following them.
“When we first opened the store, we made every item but since then have added flowers and accessories,” she said. “Most of our business’ success comes from word of mouth, along with advertising, and we have visitors from several states that come to the store every year. In 2015 our first visitor was a 3-year-old girl. Her grandfather brings her back every year, and we take a photo.”
During Christmas they offer a 12 days before Christmas event box and offer the same type of promotion at Valentine’s Day. Each box contains goodies to give as a gift.
According to Connie Schumaker, the building was constructed as a bank. Inside the former vault is a variety of items to decorate any home. It also was once a Pizza Parlor along with a list of other businesses.
In 2016 an adjoining building became available, and Just Ice Cream and a Bit More was opened. Jim Schumaker’s family was from Tuscarawas County, and he is familiar with the former Goshen Dairy located in New Philadelphia.
“I was looking for ice cream that tasted like Goshen Dairy and was ice cream the way I wanted it. Our ice cream is very close to that taste. The name came from the fact it is Just Ice Cream,” Schumaker said.
They offer 66 flavors of ice cream, soft serve ice cream and five flavors of nondairy. Sundaes and milkshakes also are on the menu. Just Ice Cream and a Bit More is open daily and holidays from noon to 8:30 p.m.
Youths are hired from several different high schools, and the Schumakers work around the students’ schedules. Currently, there are 17 part-time employees at Just Ice Cream.
Tattered and Worn is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both businesses close at Christmas and reopen in mid-February. They have four employees.
Visit the Tattered and Worn website at www.tatteredandworn.com or call 330-844-2210.