The Team

I just thought I'd share this photo with you....when you come to Old City Hall Shoppes, chances are you will be greeted by someone in this photo. This is me, Jan and Bob (my mom and dad) and Hawkeye. This photo was taken by Chuck Dunning, one of the veterans who volunteers at the Livingston County War Museum. The Liv. Co. War Museum and the Rt. 66 Hall of Fame Museum share the building with us....you'll want to visit them while you are here.

Shake it up.

Sometimes you just have to shake things up to make room for new stuff. I did a little rearranging today. Marianne is renting the other half of this room for a while and I can't wait to see what she brings in. What I did in here has a little bit of a shabby cottage look.

Jolly Trolly Holiday Open Houses

This weekend, Nov. 7,8, and 9th we will be holding our open houses in Pontiac. You can shop the square, visit the museums, and ride the trolly to tour Pontiac and visit two of our historic homes.


Be sure to stop at Old City Hall Shoppes to visit us.


We've got some cookies and banana bread waiting for you.

Decorate for Halloween with Antiques

Halloween decorating and antiques are natural partners. If you add some flickering candles or lamplight....some of the things automatically seem right out of a scary movie. The chandelier above is beautiful anytime, but when you add flicker bulbs it fits Halloween perfectly. Mirrors are great too...for reflecting the candlelight and adding a little spooky movement as people move about.


And old barnwood potting table makes a good display piece. We dressed it up with fall flowers, pumpkins and gourds and old lamps.


I still have to get this just right....I put a purple light inside the piano ...hoping for a spooky look. But I need a stronger light to get the affect of a haunted piano.


Every year we get out the pumpkins and crows and add them to other things that can have a spooky feel. This year we used orange pottery, globes and bird cages.


This cupboard had a nice harvest color inside already...we just added all the amber and carnival glass we could find.


Old shoes seem more like a witches' shoes this time of year. Rusty keys, oil lamps and candlesticks are great mood makers too.


Old photos are one of my favorite things to decorate with. Our carved gourds are made by a local couple. They do a great job...each one has it's own personality. They also provide us with wonderful dyed gourds...they look like squash in a display, but you don't have to worry about them rotting...they stay perfect from year to year.


Come on in and visit us.


We promise we aren't too scary ;)

Walking Rt. 66

Hawkeye greets Cherylynn

One of the things I like best about running OCHS is the people I get to meet. Today I met Cherylynn Delfino. She's a spunky young lady from New Jersy and she is walking across the country! She just started the Route 66 portion yesterday. Good Luck Cherylynn!

Welcome Sherri of Simply Country

Old City Hall Shoppes welcomes new dealer Sherri Mackinson. Sherri recently closed her popular shop, Simply Country, but she decided to still offer some of her merchandise here at Old City Hall Shoppes. She carries Yankee and McCall candles, Park Designs table linens, and country accents.

Sherri is not new to Old City Hall Shoppes. Like me, she was one of the original dealers at Old City Hall Shoppes....it must have been about 14 years ago when OCHS opened. Quite a few of us went on to open our own shops.

Welcome Sherri...we're glad you're here!

Heritage Day 2008

We had lovely weather for Heritage day. Here's a little bit of what went on on the square today.
Many folks took a carriage ride around town.
The sheep shearing demonstration was very popular. This man sheers them quickly and the sheep certainly don't seem to mind. There were all kinds of old time skills and crafts demonstrated...basket making, spinning, quilting, lampwork, blacksmithing, stained glass... there was even a pie contest. Yum!
We set up a booth on the square to bring a little bit of the shop outside....here's our fancy sign!
And a view into the booth about midway through the day....we had sold quite a bit by this time.
A shopper finds a treasure.

Heritage Day

August 2 is Heritage Day in Pontiac. There will be lots to do on Pontiac's square. There will be demonstrations of old time crafts and skills, entertainment and food. For a look at last year check out this post.

We will be set up in a tent on the square to give folks a glimpse of Old City Hall Shoppes... and if you visit the booth you can pick up a coupon to receive 10% off your purchases if you visit the shop that day.

New Treasures

I went to an auction today and got some great vintage pieces for the shop. I'm working on cleaning it all up and pricing and hopefully will get it in the shop tonight.
Remember we are open from 12-4 on Sunday, so if you'd like to see what's new come on in!

Busy Weekend...

We had a busy weekend and sold a lot out of this display, so I just keep tweaking it and adding different things. The red and white table and chairs are still here. We are now open until 7 on Friday nights all through the summer.

Along the way...The Antique Shoppe, Fairbury, IL

Occasionally I will feature some of my favorite nearby shops that you can visit on your way to see us at Old City Hall Shoppes. Today, I'm taking you to one of my favorite shops: The Antique Shoppe in Fairbury, IL. It's on Route 24 as you go through Fairbury.


There are plenty of goodies on the outside as well as inside.


As you step inside, you are greeted by a porch full of vintage treasures.


This is at the other end of the porch. One of these days I'm going to break down and buy that Gross Landing sign. That would be hilarious hanging on our back landing at home...very descriptive!


Inside you are greeted by Kathy Kupferschmid. She and her husband Daton own this sweet shop. Let's not focus on me, lets focus on how cute Kathy looks in her vintage apron!


Sorry about the flash photos...I just don't hold steady enough to do without it. The kitchen is full of antique kitchenware and yummy dips and gourmet sauces.


Here's one of the rooms decked out for the 4th of July....which is when they hold a big sale at Kathy's shop. So now you know where to go antiquing when everyone else is closed on the 4th!


As we head up stairs we see some Jessie Steele aprons....so cute and so well made. Kathy carries many neat items that you've admired on the web.


Kathy carries antiques with a few carefully chosen new home accents and jewelry. Love that giant clock!


The shop is full on both floors. Her displays will give you plenty of ideas. You can visit Kathy's new shop blog here.

There are plenty of shops on your way to Pontiac to make for a fun antiquing trip. This one is about 20 minutes from us. While you are in Fairbury, Kathy can tell you how to find the other antique shops in her town. As you continue on, you will find the Redbird Antique Mall in Chenoa on Rt 24. Then take either old Rt 66 or the new 55 up to Pontiac and see us!

Meet Hawkeye

It just occurred to me that I've never introduced Hawkeye on the blog. He is my standard poodle and he comes to work with me every day. Most of the time when people are here he is napping in the office, but he keeps an eye on everything.
He is named after the character on M.A.S.H., which is kind of cool, as we have the war museum on the second floor of our building. If you are a dog lover, be sure to say Hi to him!

New Finds!

I went to an auction and brought home a load...make that 2 loads of new treasures! Come on in and see what we have. I am loving this little red and white kitchen table and chairs (there are 4 chairs, just 3 are shown). It would be perfect on a porch.

Remember, the greenest thing you can do is use things again.......and that's what antiquing is all about!

Home Again Antiques at Old City Hall Shoppes

New line of dinnerware...Feed on the Word, mixes well with vintage glassware and china!

As some of you know, I used to have a storefront on the square...lately, I've had a few folks asking if I'm still in the business. Well, Home Again Antiques is still alive and well and living at Old City Hall Shoppes. I'm here almost every day...unless I'm out finding new treasures to fill the shop. If I'm not here, Bob or Jan will be here to help you.

Stop in and see us!
Joyce

Globes, plant stands, railroad oil can, oil painting, and as always...old books

Old light fixture, which could be used for a light fixture, but also makes a great candle holder! Old book with charming cover.

This little bird has been making his nest with paper from old books right in the flowerpots!

Hand painted tea set, vintage teacups and saucers, and old portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Valentine

I used to think I didn't like orange or amber...but now I love it!

New Summer Hours-Open Sundays!

Old City Hall Shoppes will have new summer hours starting June 1st.
Monday: Closed
Tues.-Friday: 10-5
Saturday: 10-4
Sunday: 12-4

Going Up! The elevator is coming!

We are getting an elevator to make our building more accessible. The city owns the Old City Hall building and the attached firehouse. Recently they decided to put in an elevator to make the museums and shops easier for all to use. Thanks also goes to the Humiston Trust for their large donation.
The two buildings are connected on the upper level, but an open drive is between the two ...the elevator will go in this space.
I'm so excited about this project. Many times I have seen WWII vets come and not be able to see the war museum because they could not climb the stairs. Other times I have seen these men, some on oxygen, slowly climbing the steps and taking breaks to see the exhibits. If you haven't seen the museum, you really should visit. It's a very moving experience.

The elevator will also make our shoppes accessible as well as the upper level of the Route 66 Museum and the Campanelli photography exhibit in the old jail cells.