Tuesday, January 26, 2010

an estate worth visiting

Shopping is not one of my favourite things to occupy my time. Unless it is in a foreign country. Or an antique store. Which, in a way, can be like shopping in a foreign land.

There is a certain allure to antique shops. You never know what you are going to find. Some places cater to a very specific era like Victorian or Mid Century Modern or to clientele with upper class tastes for lots of needs-to-be-polished silver. Some are elegant while others a total mishmash. Some are more junk than antique. One thing they do have in common is a high turnover rate with no idea of what may be in stock next. Even if you are not particularly an antique lover you can usually enjoy a moment or ten perusing items that may remind you of your childhood, or finding a lovely Moorcroft vase that you never knew you had to have until that particular moment.
Some items may or may may not be actual antiques (like this vase I found on the internet, but it is a particularly fine example of modern Moorcroft Pottery)

And antique dealers are a different sort than your usual shop owner. They will often negotiate a price, sometimes even before you start demurring. Afterall, there is always more stock coming in. Someone could walk in the door with a stack of numbered prints or a phone call could come about Mother's estate that no-one in the family wants, or a restaurant could go to auction... room is always needed. I do believe they want to see their treasures go to someone who will really appreciate them. And it is not unusual to find a dealer who will spend a fair bit of time excitedly showing you various objects that he knows you have no intention of buying, but because it is so beautiful or unusual and he wants you to see it.

I have had dealers like Carrie phone me to let me know that there are more lampshades in like the one I was admiring a few months ago. There is Robert who will wrap up an item I am trying to talk myself out of buying and put it aside for the next day when I will return with money. Yes, you really need this. Of course, you need to have shopped there many times and made yourself known to them. Otherwise, you learn to buy it before someone else does, remembering that you cannot return it.

So you can imagine my dismay at seeing a MOVING SALE sign outside my favourite antique shop a short walk away from my house. No one was happy. The rent was raised to such an astronomical amount that he had no choice but to leave. There are still many other great antique shops not too far away, but none quite like Robert's and none within walking distance.

There will, however, be a new restaurant within walking distance...

More on that later.

26 comments:

  1. It was fun reading this, as I seldom venture anywhere near antiques. While I do like lots of old things, particularly wooden furniture, my own style is quite different, and am tempted by fine craft, especially pottery, glass and wood. I hope you manage to keep contact with this shop and its excellent owner.

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  2. I love antique and junk shops. Amazing stuff in there.

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  3. That vase is gorgeous! You could design a room around that vase! What a bummer that they're moving! Will the new one be close enough for you to visit by car?

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  4. Oh! What a shame! That is always sad seeing a business leave or close it's doors for good. Dreams shattered...visions gone! Sad!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  5. Persiflage: my tastes have changed over the years and some pieces of wood furniture I like to admire from afar. he has set up in his home not too far away, but I haven't gone there yet.

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  6. Jazz: it is fun to rediscover things you wish you (or your parents) hadn't thrown out that suddenly are marketable again!

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  7. Susan, oh yes, I could. I have one that is dark blue with large peonies on it. yes, he is not too far away, but is in his home and has not set hours and is in a direction I rarely have need to be.

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  8. SueAnn: especially when a business was doing well and the rent is arbitrarily raised beyond resonable expectations (pure greed, I think). that happens fairly often here, so several shops will keep changing locations like a chess match.

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  9. My sister was a partner in an antique shop for quite a few years...long enough for us both to learn that it is almost impossible to make a living doing it...In the end they raised her rent too...

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  10. Oliag: yes, my brother is into selling antiques. he does better using ebay, than at his stall in the market. it is a precarious business - not at all as glamorous as Antiques Roadshow may suggest.

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  11. Antique shops are like wonderlands to me. I wish I had unlimited funds. We would be doomed. I hope your fav shop does not move too far away.

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  12. I love antique shops, one in our area closed not so long ago too. I love finding different items, otherwise I am not a shopper at all.
    Take care....it is nice to know the people where you shop.

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  13. I see, you do love shopping...if it's antiques:)
    Thank goodness, I've never lived close to any antique shop -I would be broke all the time! I love everything that exudes "history."

    Today in the process of doing the comment moderation I lost 3 comments, so it you're one of these, I'm sorry!

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  14. I adore Moorcroft. My brother & I used to visit a great shop. Closed because of the rent raise. We had a local one, that I loved, even found a Netsuke for my brother. Closed & gone.
    I love looking at all the old beautiful things that were made when pride & style we alive & well.

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  15. I hate when my favorite places close! I hope you find some new favorites, including that new restaurant.

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  16. Cinner: getting to know shop owners can be quite beneficial

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  17. Jeannette: I will likely save a lot of money; everywhere else I have to drive to. I'm sure my comment wasn't too profound, but I'll repost it (if I remember what I said!)

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  18. Meggie: I adore it from afar. I do have a Maling vase which is very similar in style. I wonder what will be considered collectible of our stuff in 40 years?

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  19. Geewits: I know, you always want independent stores to do well.

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  20. What a beautiful vase! That would be hard to resist buying,

    With your favourite antique shop closing, think of all the money you'll save. Too bad you'll also be losing a ton of fun! browsing.

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  21. I like poking around in antique stores, although I seldom part with my money.

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  22. Stine:...well, the price may help you resist! I am still dreaming.
    And yes, it is the fun of stopping in and hearing the stories and browsing that I will miss.

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  23. SAW: I am getting better at resisting the urge to spend. I only have so much room afterall and my lifestyle doesn't allow for the need of more than two soup tureens (for example).

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  24. Your vase is lovely and it is always sad when a favourite shop closes down, usually to be replaced by yet another restaurant of a Charity shop.
    However, it is the feeling that you might stumble on something really unusual....... a bargain....... a good find, that even makes browsing through a Charity shop interesting.
    I don't usually venture into antique shops but often look in the windows.

    Nuts in May

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  25. Maggie May: if there is one thing we don't need, it is another restaurant. I enjoy the charity shops too, sometimes.

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