Columbus, Ohio USA
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Better Earth Leaving the North Market
New adventures await Dareen Wearstler and her
'drummer's wagon' of creative and earthy goods

by Joel Knepp
November/December 2018 Issue

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Bill Barr took this photo of Dareen Wearstler 20 years ago in 1998 for the Gazette. “Her little shop reminds you of a drummer’s wagon packed with interesting items from around the world,” wrote Judy Barr. (The Barrs regularly documented the market during the ‘90s.)

After 27 years in business at the North Market, Dareen Wearstler, owner of the eclectic shop Better Earth, is preparing to pack it in, although you certainly can’t tell from browsing through her overflowing inventory of earth-friendly cleaning products, jewelry, handmade pottery, Amish jams, Ohio souvenirs, clothing, sunglasses, cards, and on and on. Her last day at the market will be December 30, 2018.

On a recent cool fall morning, I strolled down to the North Market to visit with Dareen and survey her amazing selection of wares displayed in a relatively small space. Better Earth is packed to the gills with eye-catching gifts and specialty items. Between sales, she reflected on her long journey with the shop. After leaving the corporate world, she made the leap into small-business retail in 1991 by opening a store in Beechwold which initially specialized in ecology-oriented products like compost bins, solar products, and organic gardening supplies. Soon after, she opened a second shop in the old North Market, which was then a large Quonset hut standing in the space now occupied by the market’s parking lot. Back in those days, ecologically oriented items were a tough sell, and Dareen gradually moved into pottery, jewelry, essential and perfume oils, organic food mixes, and locally made gift and food items. Better Earth made the move to the present market building and has been chugging along successfully ever since, currently with four employees helping cover the store’s long hours.

What does the future hold for this energetic shopkeeper after she leaves the North Market? She’s changing gears but not slowing down. Like so many retail businesses these days, Better Earth is going to the Internet and will offer some of its best-selling items at www.betterearthproducts.net. Dareen is also excited about opening a booth at the Heritage Square Antique Mall off Brice Road on the far east side of Columbus, where she will offer perfume oils, jewelry, rocks and gems, and antiques. Her Short North presence will continue; the Marcia Evans Gallery at 8 East Lincoln Street will also carry her jewelry and beadwork. She adds, “I’m looking for new opportunities.”

Dareen told me, “The best thing about having a shop at the North Market has been the good friends I’ve made from many of my customers. I’ve enjoyed every minute of serving the Columbus community.” We will miss her and Better Earth. Stop in and say hello before the closing.

Better Earth products can be found online at www.betterearthproducts.net - Visit Dareen Wearstler’s booth at Heritage Square Antique Mall, 1865 Brice Road. Her jewelry and beadwork is available at Marcia Evans Gallery, 8 E. Lincoln St. Call 614-224-6196 or email betterearthproducts@gmail.com for more information

 

 

 

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