06/04/2022
Peace out, Flamborough.
After 31 years, Grasshopper Imports — the funky bohemian shop with the trippy tie-dye wall on Highway 6 in Flamborough — is no more.
Angela Betts, who owned the store with her husband Greg, said operating the shop became too much after he decided to retire.
"We built it too big," said Angela. "It grew into a beautiful creation."
Grasshopper Imports offered unique items and clothing, jewelry, home decor and so much more. Outdoors, it operated La Casa Del Sol, featuring a wide variety of Mexican pottery. Imports featured inside and out came from all around the world, including Thailand, Indonesia and Nepal.
Originally inspired by the Grateful Dead fan culture, Grasshopper Imports started off in the back of a van as a summer job. Angela and Greg would sell items at concerts, flea markets, beaches and colleges.
“Greg had designed a poster that we sold on tour; I made some jewelry and some patches and sold those,” Angela said.
According to Greg, friends of their asked them to bring things back with them, and the little summer gig grew into the hoppin’ business.
Running an imports shop was an experience, and the process to organize a buying trip to the countries wasn’t an easy one. There was so much involved, Greg said it would take a day to explain it. Suffice to say it was all about connections.
The pair bought directly from artisans at markets before placing orders, getting brokers involved and shipping to Canada.
Items were bought at fair prices.
“We really wanted to make sure that the artisans got the dollar that they were asking for their product," said Angela, stressing this was "really important."
Angela and Greg have sold art for 30 years. Their items are handmade and "very artistic."
"And we were happy to bring that to the town of Flamborough," said Greg.
The business grew its customer base organically, “by word of mouth.”
Its location on Highway 6 with its colourful mural piqued the interest of many.
“The tie-dye was the curiosity that killed the cat,” said Greg.
The “little shop that could” brought with it some memorable moments over its 30-year span.
Like the time actor Tommy Chong dropped by for a visit. He was in town shooting “National Lampoon’s Senior Trip” when he happened upon the shop.
“He came in and bought a pile of h**p bracelets off me,” said Angela.
While the Grasshopper Imports doors are closed and its journey is over, the couple is thankful for the community, staff and customers for their support and the friends they made along the way.
“The people have always been so good to us. I don’t know how such a unique idea was able to keep unfolding in such positive ways on such a bizarre space that evolved here,” said Angela, noting “bizarre” isn’t quite the right word.
And when they announced they were closing, people “came out and completely support our exit,” she said, adding, “We’re so grateful"
The Spec
