The Collegian

Issue date: 3/11/10 Section: Down the Hill

Neon pennants at 120 N. Broad St. shine brightly in the March sunlight as they flap from the awning outside Hillsdale Antiques. Inside, the narrow shop is lined with shining glassware on one side and a case full of colorful fishing lures and costume jewelry on the other. Vintage military jackets and a deer head hang from the walls.

Owner John Pickard got started antiquing while looking for antique fishing and hunting gear. He used to bring his wife, Janelle, with him and eventually she was hooked.

"I got drug into it, but once I started finding the pottery and glassware, it sucked me in," she said.

After accumulating two storage units of antiques, they decided it was time to open for business. They started Hillsdale Antiques three years ago and have been at their present location for two and a half years.

The Pickards carry such brands as Heisey and Westmoreland glassware, Roseville pottery and Heddon and Shakespeare fishing tackle. Prices on their items range from 50 cents to $500, but most of their items cost about $10-$40.

"Our general glassware is definitely cheaper than you would pay if you went down to Walmart," said Janelle.

Besides glass and fishing antiques, they have an assortment of costume jewelry and vintage clothes, which Janelle thinks might interest students. She said they sometimes have lamps and artwork to decorate houses or dorms. And for those over 21, they have martini shakers.

"We always appreciate the college students," she said.

To pick up new items, the Pickards go to estate sales and the Hillsdale fairgrounds for their auctions on Saturday mornings.

They purchase things based on what has sold well in the past, but they can never know for sure what will sell and what sit on the shelf for months.

Once, their 9-year-old daughter Vivian saw a ceramic tiger in the store she wanted, and they said she could have it if it didn't sell in a week.

"We didn't think it was going to sell, and of course it sold the next day," said John. "It just takes the right person to come in."

The Pickards do appraisals for estate sales and individuals. If the item is new for them, they'll look up its information for their visitor. This is Janelle's favorite part of her job.

"They'll say, 'Oh, I really appreciate you looking that up for me. I'm glad to know what it is,'" she said. "I like knowing something and being able to share it with people."

Hillsdale Antiques is open from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on weekdays and Saturday and 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday and closed on Sunday.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools