Madame’s Oddities, opened in 2023, located off of Princess Anne and Bunker street is home to all kinds of eclectic, creative and surprising art. In addition to a variety of art and crafts, Madame’s also houses community events such as punk, rock, and metal band shows, birthdays, and art events—often for free.
However, the space, one of the only venues for Fredericksburg’s alt punk scene, may be reaching its end. The shop has fallen behind on two months of rent, due to rising costs, and is hoping for the aid of the community to help them stay open.
Madame’s Oddities owner, Cara Bella (aka Cara Hall) has supported the shop through motherhood and her chronic illnesses. She is aided by a crew of vendors who in return earn commission on their sales with a portion going back to the shop. Madame’s offers local punk bands a low booking fee and commission.
When vendors fell behind in their payments to the shop, Cara Bella was forced to make a choice between buying necessities and paying rent on the store.
She said, while she is aware of her role in helping the gap, her own health issues contribute to the financial stress. “With my health, just making up the difference each month, I can’t do that,” she said.
Now it seems the month of June could be the last.
CaraBella decided to keep the store open every day this month in hopes of selling more merchandise, hosting birthday parties, arts and crafts shows, listening parties and CD release parties all in hopes of buying the store another month.
Her Majesty, a Roanoke-based band, is one of many who have enjoyed the space of Madame’s Oddities. Guitarist and lead vocalist Felix Byler said that Madame’s has “excellent atmosphere, an easy booking process, and an alt-community space that makes all of our members, crew and fans feel safe and welcome.”
Being able to have an alt space makes the band feel safe and excited to continue to play there. “We love Madame’s and everything she does for the Fredericksburg DIY scene and would hate to lose such a vital community hub,” said Byler.
Her Majesty is throwing their support behind Madame’s. Other bands such as Day Aches, Undertow, and The Looms will also be playing shows there this month.
“This scene would not exist without Madame’s and places like it,” said Byler.
Madame’s Oddities has a history of giving back to the community and continues to do so even as closure looms. A Block Party Sunday, June 7, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. will offer donations such as clothes, menstrual and hygiene products, food and free haircuts to those in need. The event focuses on a community that is dear to Cara Bella, those in need and the unhoused.
“We just want to celebrate people that otherwise wouldn’t have a home,” she said. “Our main focus is to give back to that person who’s like, I don’t know how I’m going to make it to the next paycheck, or I don’t know where my next meal is coming from.”
While Madame’s continues to host these events, and aid those in need, their overall goal is to be an open space, for all individuals within Fredericksburg.
“This space is very community oriented, and it’s open for anyone. You don’t have to be alternative, you don’t have to be goth, you don’t have to be like anyone to come here,” Cara Bella said.
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