Basket Case

Basket Case is a store in Mehrula selling handmade baskets, boxes, and suitcases. It was originally opened and owned by Etran Bonavine and his wife Altea Leniva. At that time the store was named Bonavine Baskets. After the death of Altea and Etran their four daughters took over the shop. Several years later the shops name was changed to Basket Case.

History

Starting Out

In 3352 the newly wed Etran and Altea opened a small shop on the ground floor of their house. Even though he was only twenty at the time Etran was known in their neighbourhood as a very capable and artistic basket weaver. They named their shop Bonavine Baskets, and Altea tended the store so her husband could focus solely on his craft. Their shop was such a succes that Jareb's daughters later learned the craft from their father and joined the family business. Their son Jareb, their youngest child, did not share the passion for basket weaving and became a famous explorer instead.

Family business

The Bonavine children inherited their parents home and shop in 3376 after Etran's death. The youngest daughter and brother where too young at the time and where taken in by Renja and her husband who lived in their own home next door. Initially Jevina and Reya tended the shop while their siblings did help with the basket weaving. Over time though it was Renja who most often tended the store while her younger sisters started to create woven boxes and suitcases which became their bestselling products.

Name Change

When they started selling boxes and suitcases alongside the well known baskets customers started to name these new items basket cases. The name became so popular that the shop was eventually renamed to Basket Case. Over time some of the daughters children became involved in the family business as well. They started weaving trunks, lanterns, mats, and headwear. Those are now among the most popular items sold in the store.

Architecture

Original Building

Basket Case is situated in a three-story townhome on Old Center Square. The original house was renovated for the shop before Jareb and his wife moved in. With the shop and storage room taking up the ground floor, the family's living space was found on the first and second floor. There was also a small garden at the back of the house which was often used by Jareb to make his baskets.

Expansion

As the years went by, and the Bonavine children inherited the shop, the items they sold became more diverse. They started creating lidded boxes of various sizes, and eventually even woven trunks and suitcases. Year after year their inventory grew until it became clear the shop became too small. Renja lived next door however and so the sisters decided to merge the groundfloors of both houses for their business. While Renja and her family still live on the first and second floor of their home, their groundfloor is now part of the shop. The gardens of both houses have been merged as well.

Founding Date

3352

Alternative Names

Bonavine Baskets

Type

Shop, Generic

Parent Location

Mehrula

Lavender Flowers in Woven Basket by Brigitte Tohm

Inventory

Baskets

Woven boxes with a lid

Woven suitcases

Woven trunks

Lanterns

Mats

Hats