A preschool teacher aims to provide other educators with a place to purchase books, paints and other classroom supplies.

    Laura Hodgson, who has taught at Dover’s Calvary Christian Academy for five years, began running A+ Learning Shoppe near the Shamrock Motel on Route 13 with her husband John in June. The store’s previous owner had died a year before, creating an uncertain future for the 10-year-old shop.

    “It actually started as a joke among the preschool teachers,” Hodgson said. “We all said ‘Wouldn’t it be funny if we ran the store?’”

    Teachers have been coming to the store from as far away as Maryland, and Hodgson said posters, bulletin board trim and other classroom décor have been the most popular items.

    “There’s a lot of teaching that can be done in the house, and we wanted to encompass that type of learning as well,” Hodgson said, noting she has expanded the store’s selection of learning tools for preschool children, including puzzles and toys.

    John Hodgson helps with ordering inventory but looks to his wife to explain the function of different items.

    “Having the store has been different for me because I’ve been in construction my whole life,” he added.

    But Laura Hodgson and employees Cindy Kolas and Norma Van Etten can prove an invaluable resource for teachers that are looking to incorporate different elements in their curriculum.

    A popcorn machine also supplies free treats for children who visit the store.

    “I love to teach, and I love to shop, so the store was a nice marriage of these things,” Hodgson added.

    Customers also can order merchandise from A+ Learning Shoppe’s website at www.aplshoppe.com and pick up the products at the Route 13 store without paying shipping charges.

    A+ Learning Shoppe, located at 2151 S. DuPont Highway, is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

    For more information, call 698-3000.

Email Elaine Hughes at elaine.hughes@doverpost.com