|
 |
|
|
Riverview Antiques a realityMore river views in the futureExcitement was in the air. A new business in Mt. Carroll was ready for business, and owner Len Anderson was expecting some new customers - from Minnesota and Wisconsin. The unofficial grand opening of the antique shop was held Saturday, May 5, in the former Kennedy Restorations building on north Main St. near the banks of the Waukarusa River. Len was preparing for a visit from the River City Street Rods antique car club, based in Eau Claire, WI. They were to be some of the first customers at Riverview Antiques. As a member of the Friends of the Waukarusa, Len is interested in river-front development. The location of the antique shop fits perfectly with the plan. "The Friends are planning to develop this river view with benches and an overlook of the untouched, natural beauty of the Waukarusa from this vantage point," said Len. "Safety rails will be installed, berms will be cut back, and some trees will be cleaned up so that downtown visitors can enjoy this natural beauty. We want to create a visitors' destination." Anderson and his wife, Linda, are no strangers to Mt. Carroll. They have operated Ideas & Designs, located on West Market St. in Fay Christians' building, since 2001. "It's what we call a his and hers compatible shopping experience," said Linda. In the huge building, you will find antiques, wholesale designer fabrics, car parts, toys, a Victorian library, Thru the Looking Glass Fashions, and the ever-popular Mad Hatter Tea Room. "With the clientele that we've drawn to the area the past six years, and with the addition of Riverview Antiques, we're working toward developing a business base that's good for Carroll County," Len said. "We will continue to cater to families, with interests for men, women and children. And if we don't have what the customer wants, we'll send them somewhere in the area that does!" When entering Riverview Antiques, the renovated "front room" features show-room, period antiques in a parlor setting. From there, you will enter "Streets of Yesteryear," where you will find a huge antique toy selection, a 1934 Dodge with only 41,000 miles on it (a local car formerly owned by Ralph Moshure), and a General Store, set up as a tribute to Len's grandfather, who operated a popular general store during the Depression. For those of you that are restoring older homes and want to use authentic, period light fixtures, door knobs, fireplaces, pocket doors, and more, the Architectural section is for you. The "Automobilia" section features the Anderson's 1951 Coach-Built Rolls-Royce. "There were only 26 of them made," Len added. The body work on the restored vintage automobile was done by Mt. Carroll's own Bob Kingery. The full basement of the building will eventually be used for antique vehicle storage. "We're trying to attract antique car buffs and clubs with our Automobilia section, as well as by hosting several Car Cruises during the year" Len said. The next Car Cruise is set for Saturday, June 23. For more information about the cruise, Riverview Antiques or Ideas & Designs, call Linda or Len at 815-244-7875, or visit their web site at www.ideasndesigns.com . (PA story/Tom Kocal. This business feature is offered to new businesses in Carroll County as part of The Prairie Advocate's "Jump Start" program. If you know of a new business and would like more information, call Tom Kocal, publisher, at 815-493-2560, or e-mail him at TKocal@prairie-advocate-news.com) Go back to Prairie Advocate Home Page
|