GALION — With the addition of a small antique shop on Harding Way East, Galion’s uptown marketplace is on a steady ascension.
The growth has occurred within the last couple years, according to Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce President Joe Kleinknecht. And at Copper Horse Antique’s ribbon cutting ceremony, he welcomed the business, and others like it, with open arms.
“We’re seeing some niche businesses come in. That’s what you need that makes somewhere a community destination. It’s exciting — almost better than getting a Sears. Because everyone has one of those,” he said, chuckling.
The niche shops he mentioned were the new shop’s next door neighbors, and part of the city’s uptown revitalization efforts — The Candi Bar, Eighteen-O-Three Taproom, Cycling Sports Center — to name a few. The city expects more of the same to happen in the near future.
“The best signs are mornings like this where we have a local person willing to invest in Galion to open another business,” Mayor Tim O’Leary said. “I’m pretty optimistic for uptown,” he added.
Terry Renee McMillan opened the antique shop Monday, Aug. 1. The small storefront along Galion’s Harding Way is packed to the brim with what McMillan described as unique and unusual relics.
“I like the unusual, unique items. We also have some repurposed stuff,” the 1983 Galion High School graduate said.
McMillan grew up in Galion and he and his wife started working in the antique world 35 years ago. He was drawn to the business by an introduction from his father-in-law, who has worked with antiques for 65 years. Before owning Copper Horse Antiques, they worked at DPS Antiques in Delaware.
“The drive was getting too long to do everyday. So we started our own and decided to bring business to Galion, our hometown,” McMillan said. When he isn’t working in the store, he is making runs to find new items to sell. He and his wife visit garage sales, homes up for auction, abandoned barns and flea markets.
A quick scan through the store revealed vintage board games, pint glasses, dinnerware, signs, lamps, books and a cast iron dentist chair from the late 1800s.
“We’ve collected and accumulated stuff for 35 years. I basically run with a load in my truck,” he said.
The store will be open everyday during the week except Wednesday. On Monday, the store’s hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday: noon to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
