Antique mecca doing okay in wake of fire

Andover - Andover and antiques are synonymous, and the fall is the high season on Main Street. Most of the shops along Route 206 sell antiques. According to many shop owners, the fire that destroyed The Andover Inn, once a popular restaurant, last year impacted sales, the town is still a bustling weekend destination. “That’s why I’m here,” said Toni Ostrom as she sat in front of an array of jewelry made from stones from the 50s and 60s. “People come to Andover to find treasures.” A Newton resident, Ostrom and her partner recently started A&T Treasures. “What better place to get an antique-related business going than in Andover?” Ostrom was displaying A&T’s creations in front of Antiques & More, on Main Street. Inside, the owner of Antiques & More’s wished to use just her first name. Barbara said she’s been in business for three years. “I live in Andover so this was where I wanted to make my business.” From vintage clothes to old-fashioned wooden balloons hanging to the ceiling, Antiques & More offers a vast variety of goods. Though fall is usually a booming season, Barbara said, “It seems slower this year and I have no idea why.” One of the reasons she sited, however, was the departure of The Andover Inn. “When it was up and going, we really had a lot of business.”” Bill Longcor, owner of Country & Stuff across the street from Antiques and More, agreed. “The new owner that came in and renovated The Andover Inn really knew what he was doing.” He agreed that business really picked up when the restaurant got going and thought their addition of lunch was a big help to drawing visitors to Main Street, as well. “It was such a shame the place burned down.” Undaunted and a 17-year business owner in Andover, Longcor said his store, which features everything “from period pieces to the 50s,” is still doing well and that fall is one of his best seasons. “We have a whole assortment of Lionel Trains, and that’s something people love to start looking at with Christmas around the bend.” The 150-year old building that housed The Andover Inn suddenly went up in flames early in the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006. The presence of two state troopers just across the street saved the lives of several residents living over the restaurant. While no one was seriously hurt, the blaze was a devastating blow to the town, leaving 13 tenants homeless and putting almost 50 employees of the newly-opened restaurant on the main floor out of work. The Iron Mine Restaurant & Tavern had been open just two months after Jeff and Jennifer Luisi, of Roxbury, had completely renovated it. They purchased the building at a foreclosure auction in 2004. From custom-made iron decorations to the refurbishing of the main room and its fireplace, in the two months the restaurant had been open, word had spread and people were flocking to Andover to eat…and shop. The damage was deemed “too severe” to rebuild and the building, save its foundation, was torn down. In wake of the fire, some stores opted to relocated out of Andover The Red Parrot Antiques left for a more prominent spot in Randolph, and a jewelry exchange followed. The Red Parrot’s owner said, “We’re still The Red Parrot, we just moved to Randolph because it was more profitable.” Sheri Arnold, owner of Made in the Shade, is staying put, and her store, located across from the burned down Inn, has become an Andover landmark. “She has amazing things in her store,” said Karen Cascella, of Budd Lake. Cascella has patronized Arnold’s shop for years an makes a monthly pilgrimage to Andover to “see what old stuff is new” in the antique Mecca. Made in the Shade, features some fascinating lures outside the store. “You never know what [Sheri] will have on display outside her shop,” said Cascella, “Sometimes it’s furniture of a something-interesting nature and every now and then, you may see such things as….a knight in shining armor.” Arnold buys antique, vintage and reproduction lamps, chandeliers and candelabra from auctions and house sales, then jazzes them up with her custom-made lamp shades, crystal prisms and beaded chains. She also has furniture pieces which run the gamut of eras as well as antique accent pieces and lots more. When it comes to shopping for antiques, Cascella, who is nicknamed by her friends “Karen the Shopper,” said it takes patience and vision. “When I started antiquing, I’d get home only to realize something I never thought would work in my home would add a great accent. You have to look at each piece and envision how adding a touch of your own to it or putting it in the proper place would really add to your home or make a perfect gift for someone who’s hard to shop for.” Located about a half mile south of the main town, on Route 206, the largest antique store in Andover is Scranberry Coop. Nikki Schiro and Lori English have been its owners for nearly a decade. Originated by Schiro’s aunt, Gale Breen, Scranberry Coop is now home to more than 120 vendors who rent space at Scranberry Coop. “They bring in the merchandise and we play with the customers,” Schiro said, “We love our customers.” The atmosphere at Scranberry Coop is welcoming, and visitors can browse through the various rooms and booths to their hearts content. And if the smell of something buttery is in the air along with the wealth of various treasures, it’s because Schiro and English have cranked up the old fashioned pop corn machine in the front of the store to offer customers a treat. “We weren’t impacted, business wise, at all by the fire at the Andover Inn, but personally, it really bummed me out that it happened and also that nothing has been done with the place since,” said Schiro. She’s hopeful someone will rebuild the Inn soon. As for fall business, Schiro said business is steadily good throughout the year, but “we always notice an increase after Halloween.” Schiro said it’s mostly people “looking to spruce up their homes for the holiday,” then added, “You know your aunt and uncle and family are coming in for the holidays and you want to add more table space or a holiday touch to your home. We have lots of things that can help.” Back in the center of town, a huge “vendors wanted” sign is posted outside of one store, and the demolished Andover Inn stands as a reminder of a day shop owners hope will return. As for fall sales? Most owners are optimistic despite what some say was a slow start. Maryanne Barnum was visiting Andover from Toms River and questions whether the weather was the culprit of the slow start. “You don’t really think of going antiquing on a fall day when it’s in the 80s. It’s too hot. I was going to come last weekend, but it was just too hot to be in the fall spirit.” Barnum makes an annual pilgrimage to Andover each fall on the first weekend in October, but because it was so hot this year, she postponed her visit until “the weather was more fall-like.” Barnum misses the Andover Inn but said, “Now we take a break for lunch right up the road at The Andover Diner.”