1. Rockabetty
2. Foxy Shoppe
3. Out of the Blue/Normandy

Whether pincurls and pompadours are part of your daily routine, or you’ve only ever considered donning a poodle skirt for that Mad Men theme party, local shop Rockabetty has you covered.

The underground shop in Osborne Village is sailing the polka-dotted seas of Rockabilly culture into its third year, and it’s holding steady for consistent fans and occasional visitors. It’s the shop of choice for car club aficionados, vintage-styled wedding parties, and punk rock parents looking for a little leopard for their tots.

“[Business] definitely comes and goes with pop trends, but there’s always a huge underground following of people who are interested in it and it’s our leisure, it’s our life”, says Rockabetty Assistant Jennifer Overbye.

“We really enjoy the sense of community, where you’re going out to see local bands [...] we sell tickets and CDs for local musicians of the Rockabilly/Rock n Roll variety.”

Rockabetty’s own line is designed and produced locally by store owner Cheryl Scott, who is heavily involved in the local scene and in putting on the now annual River City Rumble, a haven for Rockabilly culture.

The shop is quite literally underground (just down the stairs from Wasabi Bistro), yet the atmosphere is bright, cheery and welcoming. The walls are decaled with wares in colourful prints - cherries, polka dots, and of course, the omnipresent leopard print.

Full skirts are made even fuller by puffy crinolines, a rare sight in Winnipeg (especially since the closing of Ragpickers). “Red, black, and white are a staple and they sell out pretty much immediately,” Overbye notes, adding there is often a waiting list.

While they do what they love and do it well, Overbye emphasizes that Rockabetty is there to share its distinct style with all Winnipeggers: “We’re open for everyone.”

Part of the series: The Uniter 30

Published in Volume 69, Number 15 of The Uniter (January 7, 2015)