“We are recycling America’s historic past,” says Lauren Lepley of Waynesville Antique Mall, who happily turns mason jars into soap pumps and old windows into chalkboards.
Waynesville is located at Ohio 42 and Ohio 73, about 30 minutes south of Dayton, between interstates 75 and 71. On the day we visited, Judy Kelman of Butler Twp. was sitting on the patio at the Cobblestone Cafe waiting for cousins from Cincinnati.
“We like to get together and explore small towns,” she explained. “We have lunch and visit the shops.”
History
When you arrive in Waynesville, stop at the Chamber of Commerce, 10B N. Main St., and pick up the Waynesville, Ohio map and brochure. The helpful publication lists all of the attractions in town arranged by category. There’s also a free Self-Guided Walking Tour of Historic Waynesville that provides fascinating information about many of the historic buildings.
If you want to learn more about local history, check out the Museum at the Friends Home at 115 S. Fourth St. It’s open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and 1 to 5 p.m. each Saturday and is housed in a 1905 boarding home located in the heart of the Quaker Historic District. Among the other tours and lectures offered are Civil War Soldiers & Early Pioneers and the Miami Cemetery. On Sunday, July 9, there’s a Famous and Infamous of Main Street tour.
According to the folks at the museum and the Waynesville Historic Preservation Board, the town was founded on the bank of the Little Miami River in 1797, an area that was in the Northwest Territory until Ohio achieved statehood in 1803.
It was named for General “Mad” Anthony Wayne, who opened the land for settlement through the treaty of Greenville.
Best known for the annual Sauerkraut Festival in October that attracts more than 350,000 people, Waynesville has also been dubbed “the most haunted town in the State of Ohio.” Ghostly History Walking Tours are held year-round.
What to expect
This is a great town for walking. Plan to park along — or right off — Main Street and leave your car for the duration of your visit. Parking is free.
Though some times and days vary, most stores are open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Public restrooms are centrally located along Main Street.
You can learn a lot by asking questions about items from the past in Waynesville; it’s a fascinating history lesson for the kids. Wear comfortable shoes, ask questions, and enjoy the exchange with the friendly shopkeepers. We can’t begin to list all of them; we’ve given you just a sampling.
Antiques galore
The Stubbs family grew up in Waynesville and had a lot to do with its creation as an antiques town, according to Yvonne Bradstreet, who runs the Little Red Shed along with her brother, Bill, and his wife. It’s at 85 S. Main.
She says when the malls began opening, small stores in Waynesville began going out of business. It was her dad’s idea to promote antiques and by the early 70s, the idea had caught on.
• You’ll find everything from rustic and primitive to classic American furniture and collectibles in Waynesville. There are three large antique malls: Waynesville Antique Mall, (69 S. Main) Lilly’s Corner Mall, (107 S. Main) and Mad Anthony Curio. (88 S. Main). Dozens of dealers offer everything from old records and books to dishes, furniture, jewelry. It’s fun to dine among the treasures at Lilly’s Bistro, which serves homemade soups, sandwiches and box lunches.
• For furniture, head for Spencer’s Antiques. (274 S. Main St.) When George Spencer got out of college, he took a load of junk to a flea market and was hooked. “It was more fun than rocks,” says Spencer, who’d majored in geology. He says it’s bad manners not to bargain when you’re buying antiques.
Spencer estimates that 50 percent of those who visit Waynesville come for entertainment, 30 percent come to buy, “and the other 20 percent got lost.”
• Don’t miss American Pie (43 S. Main St.), a beautiful store described as “ a slice of country life.” Owner Betty Maudlin is known for “white cottage” furniture and accessories.
• A similar shop is Winsome Cottage, (93 S. Main St.) where you can learn how to paint your own furniture at chalk painting workshops.
• Brass Lantern Antiques (100 S. Main St.) and Cheap John’s Country Store are run by John and Mary Jo Purdum and are another must-see. The couple sells refinished Victorian and country furniture and lamps; their general store is charming with its wonderful old display cases and great little gift options. A third room features food items.
Specialty shops
• People come from far and wide to shop at Waynesville’s two fabric shops: Fabric Shack Quilting Store (99 Marvin Lane) and Fabric Shack Decorative Store (232 Miami). You’ve never seen so much fabric ( an estimated 12,000 choices) and the stores also offer classes. Prices average $8.99-$9.99 a yard and there’s everything from reproductions to contemporary, kid fabrics and novelties. Jesse Aschendorf, one of the family members who runs the stores, says brighter colors, color blocking and grey/yellow combinations are popular.
• The Cobblestone Village (10 N. Main St.) is another delightful complex — it includes a beautiful gift shop with home decor items and a pretty cafe specializing in organic produce. It serves up gourmet salads, sandwiches and chef specialties such as mushroom ragu crepes and citrus crab cakes.
• Canada Goose Gallery (97 S. Main St.) boasts an extensive collection by artist P. Buckley Moss, who comes to town annually.
• Wombat Art Works (258 S. Main St.) sells fine arts, jewelry and recently acquired thousands of miniature shoes from a collector. It’s worth visiting just to look at the incredible array of little shoes!
•The beautiful Windsor chairs at Benner’s Colonial Traditions (61 S. Main St.) are handmade by Mike Benner. He and his brother use techniques developed over 200 years ago to make beautiful 18th and 19th century furniture: corner cupboards, tables, sleigh beds, settees and rocking chairs. Check out their kitchen cabinetry; it’s quite special.
• Pretty Pooch Boutique says it’s designed “for the insane animal lovers among us.” The fancy shop stocks pillows, pet clothing and accessories, gourmet treats, fancy collars. Outside you’ll find a bowl of water and some biscuits for you-know-who.
• The Looking Glass (49 S. Main St.) sells a wide variety of gardening containers.
• If you like primitives, check out The Wooden Sunflower with its furniture, lighting, custom primitive furnishings. It’s just off Main Street, at 260 High St.
American Home Comforts at Scioto Square is a pretty shop filled with four rooms of primitive furniture, textiles, pottery. Special attractions are the hand-stenciled canvas placemats and rugs and the lifetime candles.
Owner Nancy Schmidt has been in Waynesville three years and says she loves the hometown feeling. “It’s like being in Mayberry!” she says.
When you’re ready for lunch or a snack
• If you’d like to eat in a historic setting, head for Hammel House (121 S. Main St.), a former inn that has roots dating back to 1799 and once hosted Charles Dickens. The bed-and-breakfast is known for its sandwiches and salads. Consider dining on the pretty front porch facing Main Street.
• The Village Family Restaurant (144 S. Main St.) serves home-cooked specialties — homemade pies, beef hot shots. It’s open for lunch and dinner.
• The new Stonehouse Tavern, run by the folks who own Archer’s Tavern in Centerville, is slated to open later this month.
• Pizza? Try Bentono’s at 140 S. Main St. or Angelo’s at 68 Howell St.
• The homemade fudge and taffy at Braden & Sons Sweet Shoppe (33 S. Main St.) can be enjoyed on the spot or shipped as gifts. The family business has been around since the 1920s, with recipes passed down for generations.
Coming up
• Waynesville will host its Second Saturday Street Faire from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 14. The special day features artists, authors, crafters, a free book swap, cruise-in, ghost dinners and tours, entertainment and historic displays. Upcoming Street Faires will be held on Aug. 11 and Sept. 8. For information:wwwsecondsaturdaystreetfaire.com.
• Pick up a Summer’s in Bloom Passport at the Chamber of Commerce and have it stamped by participating merchants each time you make a purchase. When it’s complete you’ll be eligible to win prizes and gifts; a grand-prize winner will earn $500 and a Waynesville getaway. The promotion runs through Sept. 3
Contact this reporter at MMoss@ DaytonDailyNews.com.