New addition to Nebraska Passport Program in Newman Grove
NEWMAN GROVE -- Betz's Little Shop in Newman Grove is one of the newest additions to a traveler's to-do list.
Nebraska natives, Betz and Ed Quincy had been living out of state. But after just seven months without Nebraska's cows and corn, the homesick Quincys decided to move back. They chose Newman Grove, specifically because the northeast town needed a dentist's office -- which Ed Quincy offered. His college sweetheart and wife then started a sewing business out of his office, now 38-years ago.
Eventually, Ed Quincy did retire, twelve years ago. That's when the pair upgraded Betz's "little shop" into a literal store, named Betz's Little Shop. Her hobby became a thriving downtown store. They added a greenhouse, antique toys from the 1930s, a tuxedo rental, and more official sewing classes for the fall and winter.
"We get ladies that come down from Elgin, York, Lindsay, even Stanton," Betz Quincy said.
Even the pandemic couldn't stop them.
"We wanted to be open so we were open," Ed Quincy said.
"We just kept going, it was just as busy, plus we were selling more for mass," Betz Quincy said.
But after everything -- national shipping delays and supply shortages are finally affecting them.
"The thing that surprises me is the plant business," Ed Quincy said. Some florals are no longer available. Plus, the Quincys used to order on a weekly basis -- but now their supplier only delivers in bulk.
"They've made it more difficult -- somebody without good cash flow can't stay open," Ed Quincy said.
Still, the year hasn't been without its share of good news for Betz's not-so Little Shop. After four years of application, ("She was persistent," said Ed Quincy,) they finally were accepted into the Nebraska Passport Program.
If you want a reason to visit before the passport program begins in May, the store is also participating in the All Kansas-Nebraska Sewing Shop Hop. Crafters visit as many participating sewing stores as possible in hopes of earning a prize. Wednesday was Luggage Tag Day for the event, meaning participating stores, such as Betz's, hosted mega-sales.
Ultimately, the secret to their success is more than community building and promotional events. It's a marriage spanning more than 50 years.
"We're honest with each other," said Betz Quincy.