What is the Rusty Crickett?

We’re a gift and clothing boutique just outside downtown Bradenton in a Victorian house that was built in 1926.

Where does the name come from?

Back when my sister and I had booths at [the store] Ginny’s and Jane E’s on Anna Maria Island, my sister Jan was given the name “Cricket,” because she’s very long, and when she climbed on furniture she looked like a cricket. She carried a lot of rusty antiques, so the community knew her as Rusty Cricket.

What’s the store’s atmosphere like?

It has a Southern, homey feeling. We have a garden up front, and we get to know our customers by name. If something special comes in that we know a customer will like, we’ll call and let them know.

Is the inventory the same year-round?

It’s something different every month. We’re located between five high schools, so right now we’re gearing up for homecoming; we’ll sell dresses, jewelry and handbags. And we’re known for our Christmas decorations when the holidays come around.

Any big changes coming?

A lot of customers are begging us to open a second location in Sarasota, but we haven’t found the right place yet. That’s what’s hard; we’re not sure whether we should branch out or keep the shop the way it is.

 

Trendspotter

Who owns smartphones

% of American adults within each group who have a smartphone

All adults (n=3,014)45%

Men (n=1,337) 46

Women (n=1,677) 45

Age

18-29 (n=478) 66

30-49 (n=833) 59

50-64 (n=814) 34

65+ (n=830) 11

Race/ethnicity

White, Non-Hispanic (n=1,864) 42

Black, Non-Hispanic (n=497) 47

Hispanic (n=427) 49

Annual household income

Less than $30,000/yr (n=876) 35

$30,000-$49,999 (n=523) 42

$50,000-$74,999 (n=371) 56

$75,000+(n=680) 68

Education level

No high school diploma (n=269) 21

High school grad (n=830) 36

Some college (n=778) 50

College+ (n=1,115) 61

Geographic location

Urban (n=1,095) 48

Suburban (n=1,406) 49

Rural (n=396) 29

SOURCE: Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, Summer Tracking Survey, Aug/ 7-Sept.6,2012. N-3,014 adults ages 18 and older. Interviews were conducted in English and Spanish and on landline and cell phones (1,206 cell calls were completed). Margin of error is =/- 2 percentage points.