Mad Hatter General Store: Modern Yet Nostalgic

Of course there are Alice in Wonderland trinkets, along with vintage clothing and some locally made jewelry, but what makes the Mad Hatter General Store so interesting is its ability to span generations.

The inventory at the shop can be appreciated by almost anyone, with products that appeal to kids, seniors and everyone in between.

Although the business itself has been around since August of 2011, the Mad Hatter General Store didn't open its doors in Tarpon Springs until February of this year.

Owner Sheri Wilken's shop was previously located in Palm Harbor. However, the business outgrew the space, and she chose Tarpon Avenue as its new home. 

"I love the community here," said Wilken. 

With that community, Wilken's focus has been on the entire block of businesses on Tarpon Ave. in the historic downtown shopping area. She is an active social media user and says that having an online presence is important. 

Since some of the businesses are not online, Wilken says that she tries to fill the void the best way she can, whether it's blogging on Tarpon Springs Patch or sharing photos on Facebook.

Some may think of Tarpon Springs as a tourist spot, but Wilken says that locals have more available than they know about. Having an online presence can bridge the gap of communication from storekeeper to consumer, according to Wilken. 

"We have so many great things here for the locals," Wilken added. "We have to market ourself to the locals, and the tourists should just be the cherry on top."

As she continues to solidify the area's online presence, she also regularly attends meetings with the Chamber of Commerce and the Merchants Association. 

The concept for Mad Hatter General Store came from Wilken's desire to draw a diverse clientele. She says that in her mind, the idea of a general store brought nostalgia and community together under one roof. 

"Times are hard, and people want to feel good," said Wilken. "We need places like this."

During events, the Mad Hatter General Store stays open, and Wilken welcomes newcomers with a smile. She keeps a variety of items in stock, from men's clothing to vintage apparel and locally made goodies for all ages. 

Wilken calls the inventory, "a balancing act" as she attempts to carry lines that appeal to pretty much anyone. The Mad Hatter General Store even has a cooler with ice cold drinks so visitors can cool off while shopping. 

For now, the Tarpon Springs location is enough to keep her busy. But Wilken added that franchising is something she keeps in the back of her mind because of the business' unique nature. 

A retired manager of her family's business, Wilken says that she opened Mad Hatter General Store with hopes of having fun and being creative. 

"This time around, I am going to do something that I really enjoy," Wilken said. "It's just fun."

If You Go

Mad Hatter General Store

204 E. Tarpon Ave.

727-943-0800

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