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Manor house: A treasure hunt

1/27/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture
SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTO BY SHERRI CONER Longtime antique dealer (back, from left) Darrel Coffman, Suzanne Most, Manor House owner, and dealers Melody Virgne and Miriam Smith with Lois Schern (seated). Virgne was first a loyal customer before becoming the dealer with the longest time in business with Manor House.
PictureA look inside the Manor House
By Sherri Coner
Southsider Voice correspondent

In what she called her “401K closet,” Lois Schern of Wanamaker got serious about collecting and stashing unusual and hard-to-find items. 

Three years ago, when her retirement wish finally came true, she opened a retail spot at Manor House Antique Mall and named it Lois’ Luxuries. 

Along with a display of Gorham, Mikasa and Waterford crystal, Schern offers everything from hand tools from the 1950s to cookie jars and tea pots, walking canes and Snow Baby figurines.

In another area of the store, Melody Virgne of the Southside smiles at the fact that browsers will likely find nearly anything unexpected on her shelves. 

“I collect anything that catches my eye,” Virgne said with a grin. 

Those who have a hankering to decorate a wall with a 12-foot, fully restored marlin hit the jackpot at Manor House. The trophy fish is displayed only a few steps away from Virgne’s shop, awaiting the arrival of its next proud owner.

Dealers who provide quality merchandise make this 7,500-square-foot treasure hunt a success, said Manor House owner Suzanne Most.

Now celebrating its 20th year in business, Manor House opened in 1996 at 5454 S. U.S. 31 before relocating to Meridian Shoppes, 8039 S. Meridian St., a few doors down from Vito Provolone’s. The move was necessitated as the shop’s old building was destined for the wrecking ball.          

Unusual marble sculptures, Henredon and Ethan Allen furniture, leaded glass lighting rescued from the renovation of the Hilton Hotel and numerous other high-quality items define Manor House as the home of upscale vintage finds, Most said.

Her love for antiques began as a child. After watching family members cherish items with stories already attached, she was not a bit surprised when antiques followed her into adulthood.

“The items here have lasted a very long time,” Most said. “And they continue to endure.” 

The newest face on this friendly antique scene belongs to Miriam Smith of Greenwood. Near the entrance, she has proudly claimed a place to sell her creative ideas for repurposing doors into furniture, made tangible by her husband, Marcus Smith. 

“I am so glad I found this place,” Smith said. “It’s just so fun here.”
​
Within these walls, merchants and customers are often longtime friends. They know each other by name. Through the years they have watched one another enjoy milestones of life. They have also comforted one another during times of loss and disappointments, said Most, adding that this is a business of heart and soul.

1 Comment
Trev
5/24/2023 12:55:36 pm

2 years ago
I’m not one to write reviews, especially negative ones, but my entire experience here was an utter disappointment. When I arrived, I was met with a locked door. An older woman, who I assume was the owner or manager let me in. She said they were limiting the amount of customers because of Covid, which is understandable. I ended up being the only person in the store. She then proceeded to screen me to see if I was going to buy anything. I told her that I was a dealer at a different antique mall and I would just like to look around to see what they have. For the rest of my visit she proceeded to talk down to me, her dog standing beside me barking all the while. She was incredibly condescending and rude, making comments such as, “You won’t find anything here because our dealers are knowledgeable and they know what their stuff is worth”. I made a quick pass through, as I wanted to leave as soon as possible, but I ended up finding a magazine that I wanted to buy. There were other things I had my eye on but felt that I was not welcome in this store. I carried the magazine up to the counter and she acted frustrated that I was standing there. She saw a price of $2 written on the magazine and proceeded to tell me that they had a $10 minimum purchase. I told her I can pay with cash so she wouldn’t have to pay credit card fees but she told me there would be an additional $1.50 fee. Meanwhile, her dog is still standing next to me barking the whole time. Then she proceeded to tell me that the magazine didn’t belong to any of her dealers and then I told her I would show her where I got it. I walked back to get the booth number and when I came back up to tell her, she said she could take my name and number and get back with me after she spoke to that dealer. I told her to forget about it and walked out. Times are tough for everyone right now but if you treat people like this, you will end up sitting in your antique mall with no customers, much like you were doing before I arrived to spend money.
2 years ago
I wish I had two more hands so I could give this place four thumbs down 👎🏼👎🏽👎🏾👎🏿...This is my second time here in three years and my first experience was fairly similar. The lady with the dog that everyone speaks of is an unpleasant person. It’s Easter day, and I was surprised the front sign said they are open on holidays from 12 to 4p. I arrived at 11 AM expecting to wait an hour in my car and be allowed to enter at 12 o’clock noon to shop. The gate keeper shows up at 11:58 AM, walk the dog outside for about 12 minutes, and moves to Open the front door at about quarter after 12. As I walked up, I asked if they are indeed open today and she asked if there was something specific I was looking for. I replied that now, I was just interested in browsing around. She asked if I’ve been here before and I told her, “yes, a couple years ago”, and that I have been telling everybody about it. On my first visit, I was very impressed with what they had inside, but I did think the prices were a little high. After inquiring what I was looking for, she said that they were closed right now but they would be open later. I commented that the sign said holiday hours are from 12 to 4 PM, she Responded that there was a private event going on until 2 o’clock, and they would be open afterwards. It’s important to note that since I’ve been here at 11 AM, not one single car Has entered the parking lot, other than a couple who pulled up after My interaction, walked up to the door to find it locked. They then turned around, went to the car, and left. I’m pretty sure the broad inside boldface lied to me about any type of event going on in here. After going through the reviews of the site, I see most people not connected to the store have had a bad or similar interaction as I have. In addition, I’ve noted that the positive reviews are all done by dealers and people with a booth inside of the store. I don’t know what the Hells going on here but it’s a waste of time, money, And the support of the local community to have anything to do with this place. It’s disgraceful, the lady is obviously judgmental, condescending, And if I were a seller in this place I would remove my items immediately as no one is looking at them while in this place, mainly because the gate keeper does not allow anybody into the store. I want my hour and 15 minutes of my life back that I wasted on this sorry excuse for an antique mall
a year ago
Unfortunately, this is the second time I have tried to shop here, both times before 5pm. They were closed both times. The sign says that hours could vary due to weather, but the weather was good both times. Bummer.
2 years ago
I get the feeling they really don’t want customers. The lady that sits in there with her dog is rude and will treat you

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