Between Friends, a new consignment and makers shop, opened in Bridgman today.

The Diva is recovering from a partial knee replacement so she was unable to visit the store in person, but owner Shawn Renfro, who manages the restaurants Thistledown & Row and River St. Joe in Buchanan, filled me in via phone. Renfro said she felt the area needed “an accessible and affordable place,” for artisan goods such as handmade board games, hand-poured candles, jewelry, paper goods, artwork, cutting boards and more. She’s also carrying a small section of consigned women’s clothing.

Renfro has set up the 600-square-foot shop to look like a little boutique, as opposed to organizing it with booths. She charges makers and artists a flat fee of $30 a month to sell their wares; makers keep 100% of the sales price. For consignment clothing, consigners get 60% of the sales price; Renfro, 40%. Renfro says she’ll price items to move so that shoppers will see fresh merchandise whenever they stop by.

Bridgman is home to two other consignment/retail shops, HCM Warehouse and Clothes Horse. Renfro believes there’s strength in numbers; she figures shoppers will make Bridgman a destination and check out all three.

“I love consignment and thrift,” Renfro says. “It’s kinda like a cult.” For others who love consignment and thrift, they’ll want to consider Renfro’s membership program. For $4.95 a month, members get 10% off all items all the time, as well as exclusive access to 20%-off sales.

Between Friends is located at 9486 Red Arrow Highway, Bridgman. Winter hours are Mondays and Tuesdays 10-5; Fridays and Saturdays 10-3; closed Wednesdays and Thursdays. Closed Sundays for workshops and classes. (Check Facebook for updates; the account is called Its Between Friends; don’t blame me for the missing apostrophe.) And keep an eye out for a future post rounding up my favorite area resale/consignment clothing shops.

Bridgman is also home to a terrific Italian deli and wood-fired pizza and pasta spot, Emma Hearth & Market. Emma also serves up Detroit-style pies, homemade tiramisu and Italian butter cookies, and has a nice selection of wines, olive oils and Italian specialty foods. Diva and Mr. Diva loved the wine dinner we attended there a couple years ago.