Bob Hendrickson, IOHT

ISHPEMING — When it’s too cold outside to keep your windshield defrosted in your car, it’s time to look for an indoor activity. A shopping experience like no other is visiting antique shops, known as antiquing.

When someone says they are going antiquing, may times people get the vision of shopping in an old dusty shop full of items that can only be put on a mantel or hung on a wall. People may envision digging through piles of stuff, haggling with the owner about price and condition only to find out that they’ve over paid. That stereotype is nothing further from the truth.

Antique shopping in the West End of Marquette County is an exciting adventure of exploring past history and finding items that are, most times, fully functional and have withstood the test of time. In fact, the West End could be called the Capital of Antiquing for Marquette County.

There are several antique malls in Ishpeming, Negaunee, and the outlining area that are well organized, clean and have excellent customer service. There are two different types of storefronts. The single owner shop (sole proprietor) which most items in-house are sold directly by owner and the antique mall where the building is owned by a person or group who then leases space to vendors to set-up their displays.

From the person off the street coming into an antique shop there is very little difference in the layout. Most shops or mall a broken down into themes of commentary items.

In sole proprietor shops, there is greater option to negotiate prices where in a mall setting the prices are fixed unless a pre-agree sale percentage is arranged. Regardless, most items are much more affordable than you’d think being categized as an antique.

In Negaunee, there are Kate’s Collectibles, Lowenstein’s Antique Mall and Irontown Antiques. Each one has unique character and atmosphere. Winter hours are in effect, but most shops are still open on limited basis and Saturdays seem to be the common open day.

Traveling up the road a few miles to the town of Ishpeming you’ll find Susie Q’s and Main Street Antique Mall. Both of these shops offer very contrasting experiences. The small quaint shop of Susie Q’s is like a treasure box waiting to be opened, while on the other side of the street the Main Street Antique Mall is a multi-floor layout that would literally take hours to look at all the items offered.

All of these antique dealers are located in a short distance from one another. Antiquing is a great way to spend a cold winter day. So, make a day of it. Check out the shops, get lunch at one of the many local diners that have recently reopened to 25% capacity, and explore the West End of Marquette County.

To learn more about the area, visit www.visitthewestend.com or give us a call 906-486-1111. Our hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The office is located at 910 U.S. 41 West in front Jubilee Foods & Fuel.

Editor’s note: Bob Hendrickson is the executive director of the GINCC. He currently resides in Negaunee with his wife, Laura, and daughter, Sierra. He enjoys mountain biking, skiing, fishing and hunting along with family time.