Visitors to The Mad Hatter, a new shop located in the Great Eastern Shopping Center in Northwood, might expect to find an assortment of hats, caps and other chapeaus.

And while a stroll through the displays would reveal a cap or two, patrons will be pleasantly surprised to find an eclectic mix of antiques, handmade items and other one-of-a-kind finds arranged meticulously by owner Chris Anderson.

Though Anderson is “mad” about antiques, the shop’s name comes from her affection for the Lewis Carroll classic, “Alice in  Wonderland.”

Chris Anderson offers a wide array of antiques and “uniques” at The Mad Hatter, located in the Great Eastern Shopping Center. (Press photo by Ken Grosjean)

“I always loved the story,” she said. “And then when Johnny Depp portrayed the Mad Hatter, even more so.”

The potpourri of items available at the shop, housed in the former Christian bookstore, includes old record albums and books; vintage clothing, handkerchiefs and neckties; home décor and furnishings; baby and children’s items and much more.

Nestled on a table with wedding and bridal items is a 1940 hardcover copy of “Today’s Etiquette,” written by Lillian (Eichler) Watson.

Nearby hangs a display of aprons, including a handmade polka dot apron adorned with bright red rick rack. “You have to wonder about its history,” Anderson said. “Who made it? Where has it been?”

Another area features an array of jewelry including a festive brooch, assorted baubles and bangles and a necklace made of oversized pearls. A display dedicated to baby and kids’ items features a Winnie the Pooh mug and other treasures sure to delight the young and young-at-heart.

An armoire is dedicated to Rose Garden Plates – decorative plates that reflect the sun and adorn garden areas.

When looking for items for her shop, Anderson wanted to amass a diverse mix of quality items in good condition to appeal to shoppers who are looking for something special for themselves or as gifts without having to spend a lot of money.

“I love looking for ‘finds,’” she said, adding that selling her finds gives her the money (and the space) to go find more. Asked if it’s hard to part with the treasures she uncovers, she said, “No, I am really just as excited when someone comes in and says, ‘Oh my gosh! I love that’ and they take it home.”

Another aspect of her job that she loves is meeting and chatting with customers.

“In the 1990s, I had a craft and antique shop in on the town square in Urbana, Ohio, which drew a lot of people,” Anderson said. “At one time, I was also the proprietor of a café in Arizona.

“We were on a state route, and a lot of people went by on their way to the Grand Canyon,” she said, adding that she still has the guest book of people she met from around the world who stopped on the way to the national attraction.

Some may also be surprised to know that the diminutive Anderson’s employment history also includes working for the International Boxing Club in Toledo. “Outside of having my own business, that was probably the most fun I ever had at a job,” she said. “I got to do a lot of different things. I worked for the club newspaper and performed other various duties, including erecting boxing rings and helping with charity events.”

The Mad Hatter’s current hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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