Blue Heron Antiques brings warmth to Stanhope's reviving business district

Stanhope n The light through the plate glass front windows creates rainbows on the walls and ceiling of Blue Heron Antiques, one of the compact family-owned businesses that line Main Street. Lamps, jewelry and many glass items catch the light, so the whole store sparkles. Marion Murdoch owns and operates and is the sole employee of the little shop. She said her goal for the store’s look was to radiate warmth. “I’m a lampaholic,” she joked, and added “Lamps are where I start decorating. I have Majolica, cloisonne, stained glass. crystal, old and new.” She also carries stained glass hangings and gift items as well as the antiques. Murdoch started in the antique business when her husband had to dispose of his mother’s estate. “We went to estate sales and auctions and I got interested,” she said. Originally, the shop sold only antiques, then she added gift items and jewelry. “Jewelry has always been my passion,” she said. Although she carries some gold, most is costume jewelry. “I get in a never-ending variety from estate sales, auction house and private purchases.” Murdoch also has clocks, “old clocks and watches are popular,” she said. Blue Heron has been open for seven years. “It’s a never-ending learning process,” Murdoch said. “There’s a lot of researching, but I love that part of it. And one of the rewarding aspects is helping someone find something they lost or something they remember having in the family, like ‘Aunt Rosie had one just like this.’ I love helping people create the cozy factors in their homes.” Her décor in the shop creates warmth as well. “I rearrange things often,” she noted moving a carnival glass bowl. A resident of Hopatcong, she set up shop in Stanhope after she got a tip on a building for sale. “I always wanted to open an antique shop.” She’s pleased with her location. “In recent years new things are happening in Stanhope. Bell’s Mansion opened, Art Magic moved in and we anticipate, with the grants the borough got, there will be some general beautification, more businesses will move here and Main Street will be busier.” Murdoch works on her own beautification projects by planting flowers. The morning glories on her fence make it “the garden spot” of downtown Stanhope. She named the store Blue Heron because she loves the bird and the location, near Furnace Pond and only a few blocks from Lake Musconetcong, means she sees them often. “Then I found out there are other Blue Heron antiques all over the country.”