Vision and transformation are powerful criteria for energizing a community. Maintaining retail businesses is another. It is especially gratifying when two business owners can do all at the same time. Don and Jackie Jevne have completed a second major endeavor in less than a year’s time, with the opening of their latest business, The Old Hotel Antiques & Collectibles.
Their doors opened at 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 10, 2013. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, so accessibility is guaranteed.
“It was a very good day! We had customers in the shop all day,” said Jackie.
The location is well-recognized as the former home of Morrison True Value Hardware, 130 E. Main Street, Morrison, IL, at the northwest corner of E. Main and Cherry Streets (IL Route 78.)
However, the name of the shop references its long-ago role as the Hotel Whiteside, whose address was then 132 E. Main. Jevne gave the Editor a vintage key.
A second chance for this historic property was always a possibility. On Tuesday, August 28, 2012, the Jevnes had signed paperwork to purchase the former Blackhawk Lumber, Inc. building, located at 104 S. Genesee Street. Two days later, Don had reported he might consider selling their two, adjoining, Main Street buildings or turning them into an antique mall.
The Jevnes were determined not to leave an open Main Street business after their transfer to a new location for Morrison True Value Hardware.
“It was a great deal of work!” he stated on Tuesday, June 11. Jackie added, “It took about six months.” This will be obvious as one enters the spacious, well-lit, and clean interior of the former hardware store. There were always some antiques and collectibles available over the 39 years the former store was open. Now, countless items are grouped–ceiling to floor–in orderly arrangements and displayed for easy viewing.
Don explained he started his business 40 years ago and has accumulated antiques during the entire time. Each property purchased included “stuff,” and he supplemented with a passion for yard sales and auctions.
“We owned the Wall Street house and got John Ardapple’s stuff. When we opened Jackie’s Fashion Focus, [118 E. Main Street, where Kophamer & Blean Real Estate is] we got Phil Renkes’s items and Pittenger’s Clothing Store stuff. When we bought Al Shawver’s building on our west side, we got his stuff. When we bought this building, we had lots of hotel stuff, [from when] Mae Domack was owner.”
A few of the items shoppers will find are furniture, a talking Casper doll, building signs, milk glass, art prints, shot glasses, old toys in original boxes, crystal, Hot Wheels and Starting Lineup collectibles, oil lamps, dolls, figures, soft sculptures, a cradle scythe, picture frames, sewing machines, and china tea cups. “We sell a lot of stuff people can use,” he added. “You can pick up a pie plate for a couple bucks.” Jackie added, “We have glasses galore!” She even thought of naming the basement rooms Glasses Galore.
Plop a tiny tot in the Rich Toy horse glider, made in Morrison. Start a collection of perfume bottles. Find fishing rods and golf clubs to use or display.
The bassinet which holds various dolls once held little Donnie Jevne and four of his siblings. His mother, Emily, used it for many years.
This 12-panel, glass table lamp is overlaid with handpainted, delicate lead artistry. Bridges, birds, trees, and flowers frame the glass.
Jackie was asked to choose a special item for a photograph. She instantly chose a Homer Laughlan Household Institute, 95-piece, china collection. The pattern is “Priscilla,” and the 12 place settings are “complete and in perfect condition,” she stated. There are three nested mixing bowls; tea, coffee, and milk pitchers/pots; two covered vegetable serving bowls; platters; the traditional plates, cups, saucers, and bowls. She offered her husband a pretend cup of tea from the beautiful dinnerware.
