Art, furniture and ... alligators? A new Belleville shop showcases an eclectic treasure trove
Dave Dyer wanted to open an art gallery. His wife, Susan Dyer, liked the idea of running a boutique.
So they put the two together to create The Voodoo Alligator: A Unique Boutique.
The Dyers held what Dave called a “soft, soft, soft opening” Friday, Sept. 16, for the Voodoo Alligator at its location at 8 S. Church St. in downtown Belleville.
Searching for details about the business led me to the boutique’s Facebook page, which describes it as carrying “vintage mid-century modern, medieval-style, 19th century furniture and decor” as well as hand-crafted jewelry and soaps.
The description also stated that the boutique showcases “some of the finest national living artists” and local talent.
When I arranged to meet with the Dyers at the shop, I didn’t know what to expect (but I knew it would be good).
“We wanted to be as misleading as possible” with the name, said owner Dave Dyer.
Susan said they wanted to include “stuff you don’t see every day.”
“Fun stuff too,” said Dave.
The great new shop holds an eclectic collection of art, restored furniture, jewelry … and alligator heads.
Yep. You read that right. I said alligator heads. Plural.
They also have dragons. (Yay!)
One is a real komodo dragon (that has ceased to be), and the other is a giant mechanical winged dragon that roars, moves and lights up (and I want it for my house.)
While it’s hard to top alligators and dragons, the shop has some great art too.
The Dyers travel all over the U.S. to look at art, meet the artists and buy some art.
Dave said he invests in artwork (and good comic books) because art doesn’t depreciate in value and isn’t volatile like stocks.
He studied art at Washington University and has a real passion for it (you can tell when he talks about it). He’s glad to be able to display the works of living artists and share what he knows about each piece.
Works currently on display include a painting by artist James Coleman, who worked for Disney as a background animation specialist.
There are pieces by Chris DeRubeis, who creates burned metal art, and abstract artist Tim Yanke.
There’s one painting by an artist named Mezell. It shows a young woman standing in a room, holding a rolled map. There’s also a map hanging on the wall and one laid out on the table next to a model of a ship.
“I don’t know much about it, but I love it,” said Dave.
The Voodoo Alligator also features restored furniture.
Dave’s favorite piece is a 19th century, carved, camphor wood chest that was found in a barn and totally covered in bird droppings. (Gross, I know.)
Dave said he spent two weeks cleaning and restoring the piece.
And it really is a beautiful piece.
So where did this chest and many of the shop’s other great pieces come from?
Dave said that one day he and Susan “went junkin’ in Greenville” when their GPS took them to the wrong place.
They might have turned around without a closer look if it weren’t for R2-D2. (Yes, that R2-D2. The droid from “Star Wars.” Not the real one, though; this one was a beverage cooler.)
So, naturally, the Dyers went inside (I would have too). Dave said the place had a Louisiana feel to it. One of the items the Dyers noticed was an eight-foot stuffed alligator.
The owner said the whole place, the building and all its contents, were for sale. And while the Dyers had no need for a building in Greenville, they did end up buying everything inside it.
Except for that eight-foot alligator. Dave said that someone else bought it while they were getting the money together for the store’s inventory.
Alas, having that gator was not meant to be. However, it helped set the tone for the downtown Belleville shop. And explains the multiple gator heads.
Oh, and that R2-D2 cooler? It ended up in Dave’s other downtown Belleville business, Cosmic Comics Games & Collectibles at 132 W. Main St. (This is another one of those fun places I shouldn’t be allowed in without supervision.)
For now, the Dyers want to start small at the Voodoo Alligator.
It’s going to be a work in progress, according to Dave.
They will continue to restore the furniture they already have and acquire more items moving forward, adding to the shop floor as pieces are ready.
Furniture today is junk, Dave said. Older furniture, like the pieces in the boutique, is well made and has good bones.
The Dyers will also keep searching for new art to add to the gallery.
Dave said they’re glad they decided to open a second business in Belleville.
“Everything around here … it’s great,” said Dave.
As for the Voodoo Alligator, Dave said, “This is a dream come true, being able to do something like this.”
“I’ve always wanted an art gallery.”
The Voodoo Alligator is located at 8 S. Church St. in Belleville. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.
For more info, call 618-746-9380 or find them on Facebook @voodooalligator.
This story was originally published September 20, 2022 at 8:00 AM.
