By Christopher Lively and Pat McNally
……for the elusive treasure, the must-have, or the next big find!
Christopher and Pat are always on the lookout for novelties, rarities, and just cool stuff, for their collections, for friends, and for their vendor booths at J&B Country Store in Broadway. Whether it be cruising the back roads together, in Christopher’s classic ’71 Caddy, or going separately on road trips to antique shops, thrift stores, and estate or barn sales in remote locations, they are always watching for the next great find!
Pat’s recent picking adventure was to an amazing 3 story barn, way off the beaten path, open to J&B vendors only. The evening was sweltering, but that did not deter these hardy folks, flashlights and water bottles in hand, to enter the cavernous and dark interior of a historic barn. It was organized and joyously overwhelming, packed to the rafters with treasures- everything from furniture, architectural salvage, blown glass, old paned windows, pie safes, and smalls of every kind. The score of the night for Pat was a vintage Steiff Jocko the Chimp, just waiting for her to find him and take him home!
The Cat’s Meow is another treasure hunting spot, uniquely situated in a historic building in the center of Broadway. Owner Ronnie Dove is always on the lookout for pieces of history, curious junque, cast iron skillets, affordable furniture. He also has a booth at J&B.
After the paper goes to press, there is a pop-up sale coming at The Barn at Creekside, on Muddy Creek Rd in Harrisonburg. The owner also has a booth at the Shenandoah Valley Flea Market, on Rte 11, New Market. Next month you will find out what wonder-full things were discovered there!
Christopher’s travels in June took him to Circa in Charlottesville, scoring a grapevine base for one of his stray flower frogs, and a turned walnut vase. Right down the road at Haywood, a black glass LE Smith Jardiniere, more flower frogs and local artist greeting cards. Heading back up north, Ruckersville Gallery is always a must stop. With revamped floorspace and additional vendor booths, plan on spending some time picking! Christopher certainly did!
Gatehouse Antiques, corner of Routes 29 and 33, garnered some English Adams cup, saucers and dessert plates to add to a friend’s collection.
Locally, Rolling Hills Antiques in Harrisonburg netted Christopher more treasures, including a Van Briggle flower frog, and a Gold Label 60’s lawn sprinkler-perfect for this heat wave! Valley Treasures in Woodstock yielded more flower frogs, a wrought iron garden table base, and some miniatures- never leave empty handed!
Heading out to Strasburg, to the Emporium, a Czech vase candle holder, a hand painted fluted vase, and hand-blown pitcher were added to Christophers’ collection.
July promises to be more fun searching and picking!
Who knows, you may come across some of these fabulous finds in their booths at J&B! They love to share, and it will save you a trip! Stay tuned!
