Puppet and Such's storefront window display during the Christmas season
Community is a vital part of thriving towns. In Berea, Kentucky one finds a strong element of involvement in community through art, education and music.
I stumbled upon a new business, Puppets and Such, a few weeks ago while I was in Old Town, a historic section of Berea. It offers another piece of art and education for the community.
Puppets and Such was a shop like none I had ever been in before. It is a shop dedicated to the world of puppets. Within were puppets for sale, a special stage for community puppet performances, a unique collection of vintage puppets, plus more with a friendly owner, Richard Brown, to greet you as you enter his shop.
Richard Brown with two hand puppets from a recent community performance
Actually there are two owners. They are Richard and Mary Brown, both retired from educational positions. Mary's fascination with puppets was the spark that eventually led to the couple moving to Berea to begin their new enterprise.
Community consists of all ages. The Brown team is filling a youthful element through their free performances that introduces the age old art of puppets -- a coming together to enjoy entertainment in a way that seemed like a dying breed until the Brown's came to town.
