New Antiques Center Brings
Sophistication Home
November 26, 2009
The new Burlington Inn
Antiques Center is a unique kind of shop, one where
visitors can look and touch. "Everything here
is about feeling," owner Joni Schneider said.
No heavy tape criss-crosses chairs or couches, blocking
patrons from sitting. "We want you to feel at
home," said Schneider.
Folks
seem to be feeling cozy. Since opening September 16,
business has boomed, according to Schneider and business
associate Jane Hadley, former owner of The Balcony,
an antique shop in Canton. "A lot of people said
it would be challenging to open a business during
a recession, but my husband, Bob, and I, already owned
the building," Schneider said. For over a decade,
the site was home to one of Schneider's six Farmington
Valley childcare centers. Schneider, however, was
ready to try something different.
Since
her family-four children and seven grandchildren-became
more involved in running the childcare facilities,
Schneider began thinking of fresh ventures. "I
love people and hearing their stories," Schneider
said. "I've always enjoyed antiques and collecting
because of the stories behind them. I decided opening
an antique center might be fun." Although not
a dealer, Schneider enjoys patronizing local antique
shops and auction houses. Her pieces, as well as her
husbands, are among Burlington Inn's wide range of
offerings, including furniture; jewelry; dolls; glassware;
porcelains; clothing; toys; military weaponry and
Western-style collectibles.
The
Avon resident is also a major arts supporter. Through
her partnership with Hadley, an antiques dealer with
close ties to the area's arts community, Schneider
quickly attracted a diverse group of dealers-and artists.
Burlington Inn features prominent local painters including
Allen Freshler, John LaFalce, Al Rifkin, Claudia Ludovici
and Carmel Sullivan. "We always welcome new artists
of various styles," Schneider said. Next, Hadley
wants to add contemporary Western-style pottery to
the mix. "Pottery has a wide appeal," she
said.
Schneider's
daughter, Hollee, an interior designer and graphic
artist, is also involved in her mother's newest enterprise.
In addition to helping track Burlington Inn's inventory,
she designed the center's business cards and helps
manage its website. "We are growing quickly,
which is great to see," she said. "We try
to provide a memorably warm, inviting atmosphere.
It's always interesting to come in and see an item
I remember being in my mother's house when I was ten!"
Schneider
said the center currently has between 25 and 30 dealers.
"It's been wonderful to see the growing interest,"
she said. "I love learning new things and hearing
people remember the stories behind the items they
collect." Schneider holds a Bachelor's degree
in Psychology. "I believe the pieces we're drawn
to are a reflection of ourselves," she adds with
a laugh. "I love bright things, like Fiestaware!
It's interesting to see what people are looking for."
Burlington Inn's services
include consignment; appraisals; trade arrangements;
gift registries and estate liquidation. Financing
plans are also available. Visitors will soon be able
to shop online. To learn more, visit the Burlington
Inn Antiques Center website at http://www.burlingtoninnantiques.com
Sunday. The center is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
For more information, call Joni at (860) 404-1780.
New
Antiques Center Brings Sophistication Home
