If things had gone differently, Deborah Mann and Kathie Vanderhoof may have become singers, but their band dropped them both just as it got its first real gig.

Despite this, their dreams have come true, for their real goal was to work together someday.  Friends since childhood, the two women even share the same birthday, May 17, and recently, they celebrated the first anniversary of their aptly named Denville store, Between Friends.

While interviewing Mann and Vanderhoof on the store’s front porch, days before the Sept. 26 event, it was easy to see how much they love each other.  They laugh often, frequently tease one another, and hint at childhood antics that took place some 50 years ago and admit that such behavior is not completely in the past.

Their business partnershi8p dates back only several years.  The friends rented space in antique store, but wanted their own place.  Last September they opened the s tore on Bloomfield Avenue to sell antiques, vintage items, collectibles and gifts. Mann said that they felt “really strongly that Denville needed something like this”.

The anniversary celebration is just one of many that the store hosts.  On Oct, 10 and 11, they will have an Octoberfest and flea market.  Throughout November and December, there will be a different kind of store event – customers can save money as Mann and Vanderhoof pay the sales tax on purchases.  Customers who give their email address will get a small gift while supplies last.

The in-store events are more than just a fun time for the women and their customers, but also a way to get the store’s name out in public.  Mann noted that this has been the biggest struggle over the past year, getting people to know that the store exists.

Part of this may be due to location, just off the town’s main business thoroughfare of Broadway.

Said Mann, “This type of business requires a house, not a store-front, so for us, this location is perfect.”

In addition to the furniture, artwork, and collectibles the women sell, the store also rents space to dealers.  There is Linda Sullivan from Mount Tabor with vintage jewelry and clothes, Bob Heiser from Morris Plains with books an silverware, Denville’s Tom Olsen with handmade jewelry and vintage items, Marilyn Moreau and Debbie Werner, each with jewelry, scarves and furniture, and Barbara and Fran Lilly-Madison, who design their own handbags.

The day of the interview, a new dealer signed on, Kristin Sheerin of Rockaway.  She brings to the store handmade jewelry and vintage handbags.  The three women met at a craft show where Sheerin had a table.  She described her “funky” jewelry as “really different” and “all original.”

Mann and Vanderhoof plan to eventually devote the entire top of the store to dealers.

The eclectic collection of items found in Between Friends keeps Rockaway resident Patricia Crist coming back about every two weeks.  She first visited the store after walking down its street and seeing “cute things on the lawn.”

Crist said it takes her a long time to look around the store and she likes that she can find things not found at a mall.

In order to bring customers these unique items, Mann and Vanderhoof go on weekend trips.  Mann called these excursions “fun.” Adding, “We find amazing finds.”