Roberts Creek Village is becoming an even better place to nose around for the afternoon. The café and restaurant are generally open. That’s right: open! Even in winter. The eclectic shops lining the boardwalk and square offer interesting browsing and often have exactly what you’re looking for, right there. The Rusty Hinge is a new garden shop beside the natural foods store. Owner Rhoda Baxter waited a long time to claim this terrific location in the heart of the Creek.
The Rusty Hinge is a satisfying little microcosm of our Roberts Creek gardens: starter kits and seeds, succulents and secateurs, bird feeders and bee houses. The shop is decorated with wonderful old rusty implements, things like a fabulous eight-pronged pitchfork and an ancient wooden wheelbarrow. These came from local garden sheds, some donated and some in exchange for gift certificates. They give the shop the feel of a community project, just like the gardens and beds lining the walkways outside. You’ll find unique and locally (Vancouver) crafted items like “treedrops.” These are utterly charming teardrop-shaped little habitats and feeders made from reclaimed cedar. Lightweight yet durable, these are year-round tree ornaments that are priced just right for gifts. But you’ll want one for yourself.
Baxter has been approached many times to carry the work of local artists and craftspeople, and she has been cautious and selective about what she offers. “This past month,” she says, “I have the first two artists I said yes to: Joelly, who does beautiful botanical paintings, and Donna Stewart, an incredibly talented artist who incorporates concrete in her medium. I also now have a few pieces of James Bennett’s pottery.”
The shelves have lots of plants, a fine assortment of wee cacti, and a heavenly Madagascan Jasmine with fat, creamy white blossoms that fill the room with their sugary scent.
And fun seasonal surprises: “In April I will again have butterflies, which I get in as caterpillars and watch them go through the metamorphosis to become Painted Lady butterflies.” She likes how people with kids will pop in and check on them.
Baxter owned a flower shop in Yaletown at one time, but likes that in this shop almost everything is alive and planted, not cut.
Rusty Hinge is located at 1059 Roberts Ceek Road, Roberts Creek.
Words | Nancy Pincombe
