Bridge opened the Barn in August of 1994 and three friends joined her.
“It just began as a way to have fun and supply our “addiction” for antiques and collectibles,” she said. “As the barn grew, our customers became the other dealers.”
Today, 14 sellers share in the running of the barn and each one brings a different offering of items.
“For me, they are all family and we have become a very close knit group taking care of one another,” Bridge said. “It is a special way to network with other people in this love of antiques, collectibles and vintage. Because each seller is an independent business person, they share in working and decision making, in exchange for their selling space. No rent is collected and that allows for lower pricing to the customers.”
You never know what you will find at the Butter Street Barn. Filled to capacity, there are new items constantly being added and moved around. Outside the barn, a gravel area has been added for rusty and chippy items.
Two sellers, Pat Kracia and Kim Flaugher of Germantown hand create items of cloth, china, glass and wood and produce special orders for customers.
An accomplished herbs and aromatherapy author, Carly Wall of Somerville, has a booth specializing in vintage and used cookbooks and vintage kitchenware.
“The true antique items have lost popularity in the past eight to 10 years and are being replaced more by vintage items (less than 50 years old) and also items that are repurposed from their original intent to a new use,” Bridge said. “The shabby white look is still very popular and also the primitive country look.”
As time progressed so did the accumulation of a variety of unique items and more room was needed.
“We decided to add selling space by using an old two seater out house and chicken coop behind the barn as an area to sell tools and garden items,” said Bridge. “The chicken coop finally fell and the new addition was built to replace it and now is a two room shed filled with tools, country items and cabin items.”
A big attraction is a 1970 Avion trailer named Pearl’s Petite Boutique.
“No problem with zoning as long as it was not parked in the front of the property,” Bridge said. “We have frequently changed the theme in the trailer from vintage clothing, to travel souvenirs, vintage Christmas and now she is the “Lady Cave” with china, craft and quilting items.”
Five years ago, Bridge obtained her auctioneers license with her mentor and sponsor, Larry McMechan of Preble County Auction.
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