Houlton Antiques & More

By Karen Donato
Staff Writer
    It’s open every day, but sometimes it is still hard to find the time to stop and see what’s old and for sale at Houlton’s Antiques & More on North Street.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Karen Donato
BACK IN TIME — Juanita Wiggin and her husband Gordon have lots to offer at their antique shop located on North Street just beyond York’s of Houlton.
    In May of 2008 Gordon and Juanita Wiggin opened Houlton Antiques & More. It’s a multi-dealer shop. They rent space out to 10 other vendors, but tend the shop themselves. It makes for a busy time with not much time off, if any.
    The shop is inviting, because the inventory is clean and well organized and there is a lot to choose from.
    The Wiggins spent their childhood days in Massachusetts, but spent 25 years in Florida where Gordon was a silversmith. They owned a business called, “Yvonne’s Silver, Silver & More Silver “in the Bradenton-Sarasota area.
    In the 1980s they began looking for a quieter place to live. They did the opposite of what most Mainer’s do; they came north to retire. They found the Houlton area on the Internet. They liked the small town atmosphere and the opportunity to have a home with some extra land around it. They bought a home in New Limerick first, but have since moved into Houlton.
    Last spring they opened the antique shop and it is now filled to the brim. Juanita’s passion is glassware and china, but the Wiggins have a little bit of everything and a great variety. She says customers who like to decorate their homes with a ‘country flair’ are her most popular buyers. They look for the old tin containers, cookie cutters and just about anything old-fashioned to decorate with or use as accent pieces.
    She and Gordon attend auctions to purchase additional inventory and other times people contact them. They might bring in one item or they might have a home full of furnishings.
    “Every day is interesting,” said Juanita. “I like meeting the different people that come in and finding out what they are looking for.”
    When I asked what the most popular items were, her answer was; “You never know. Everyone has their own interest. It is whatever appeals to them.”
    Other items that sell quickly are crocks, table linens, enamelware, pots and pans and furniture. Oil lamps, in good condition are also good sellers, as are sporting items such as, snowshoes and old sleds.
    The local clientele look for used furniture; something that is all wood and that can be refinished to suit their taste.
    Juanita said that the value of items change as the demand changes and the availability of the item.
    “Of course,” said Juanita, “older items are becoming more scarce now.”
     She sees a new generation of customers that may not be as interested in the pieces that are in demand now. Looking around at what is in our houses today how could one ever predict what is a going to be a hot item down the road? I am sure our great grandparents never thought someone would want an oil lamp, a Hoosier cabinet or dishes that were used in everyone’s homes.
    As the times change so does the demand. Many pieces of china and crystal collected by teen-age girls for their hope chests are hardly used anymore. Many grandmothers are finding out that no one is really interested in what’s in their china cabinets and often wonder what will happen to all the wedding gifts from
the ‘40s and beyond that have been so carefully taken care of and only used on special occasions.
    It is more difficult to find products that are made in the U.S.A. The origin of the china or pottery is one bit of information that helps narrow down the era when it was made. We will most certainly know the years when China was the major manufacturer.
    Juanita suggests that if you want to find a value for an antique that you have, research it on eBay or use a reference book on antiques with price guides that is published annually.
    The Wiggins are happy with the business from the community and surrounding towns. Even though it has been a challenge through the winter they are looking forward to the warmer days that bring more visitors to their store. So take a ride and stop in to see what they have to offer. You might just find something you can’t live without.