Continuing progress

Seven years ago, something new began in their lives. She began to dream of new opportunities in owning her own store. In fact, a few years ago, she literally dreamt of the specific gift meant for her and her husband: God’s gift. This Saturday, Brad and Wendy Hall will welcome the community to check out their gift as well, opening their brick-and-mortar store for business for the first time.

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, the Halls will host shoppers and intrigued visitors for a soft opening at Dude and Dot Mercantile. The store, located immediately north of Homestead Medical Clinic at 302 North Main Street, will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day and offer an array of vintage and modern home décor and goods. Wendy noted that curated goods include farmhouse and French country interior designs and stylings. They will also offer some handmade and unique items typically available only at Vintage Market Days shows.

Although they have lived in the Bristow area for more than a decade, the Halls have packed up their wares, loading and unloading goods and traveling around the country, to sell at Vintage Market Days shows many weekends of the year. While they will continue to travel and sell some goods with Vintage Market Days at venues closer to home in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas, the Halls look forward to seeing Wendy’s dream of growing their business through their own store fulfilled.

Speaking of Wendy’s dream, she and Brad recalled the beginnings of their internal yearnings to settle closer to home, open their own store, grow their business, and create relationships with the community. Little did they realize at the time that those yearnings would lead to actual

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Vicki Grisham photo

courtesy photo at the time that those yearnings would lead to actual dreams and gifts they believe were sent from their Heavenly Father. As Wendy recounted the story, her voice cracked and her tears of gratitude and joy became audible, causing her to occasionally stumble over her words. She simply did not possess adequate words for the magnitude of the greatness she felt they represented.

A few years earlier, Wendy dreamt specifically that their business would be housed in a building with beautiful brick and a storefront with big windows. In conjunction with intermittent searches for a building but finding nothing satisfactory, she and Brad prayed for wisdom for many months. Despite feeling the yearnings and dreaming the dreams, the Halls indicated they did not spend adequate time searching in wisdom for their building. Then, Brad reminded her that the Bible says all who ask for wisdom will be granted it, referencing James 1:5, which says “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” (New Living Translation). In conscious mind of that passage, they began to act.

While looking, they noticed an availability sign in the window of 302 North Main Street. They decided to stop by, and the owner happened to be in the building. She offered to show it to the couple. Initially, Wendy silently questioned whether the building was right for them, but as they continued to inspect it, they found it perfect. Happening upon a passthrough into the adjacent building, they discovered brick, hiding beneath layers of plaster and pegboard. The owner gave them permission to peel back the layers, exposing what Wendy described as “the most beautiful brick I’ve even seen.”

As she spoke, she recounted the literal “blood, sweat and tears poured into the business”. Chiseling away the plaster by hand resulted in swollen hands and thumbs, and even blood, as the couple tediously worked, uncovering the beautiful brick bit-by-bit. Once again, Wendy’s tears and gratitude became audible as she recalled her dream’s fulfillment, peeling back the layers to reveal the building of her dreams. She said, “It was as if we were opening our gift, God’s gift, to us.” The gift did not end with the brick building.

Additionally, Wendy and Brad memorialized her beloved grandparents through their business. Grandpa Dude and Grandma Dot greatly impacted Wendy’s life. Due to their loving influence, Wendy desired to name the business in honor of them; furthermore, Wendy announced that one of the building’s shared entries will be made into a mural of her grandparents.

Although their grand opening event will be held in August, the Halls hope Bristowans will stop by and share themselves, getting to know the couple and be known by them, in a venue perfectly curated for building a purposeful life and relationships.

For more information about Dude and Dot Mercantile and to be apprised of upcoming events, check out the business’ website at dudendot.com, follow on Facebook “Dude & Dot”, or reach out by phone at (918) 949-8554.