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Some of the items available at Forget-Me-Not Antiques in Bad Axe. (Robert Creenan/Huron Daily Tribune)
Some of the items available at Forget-Me-Not Antiques in Bad Axe. (Robert Creenan/Huron Daily Tribune)
Some of the items available at Forget-Me-Not Antiques in Bad Axe. (Robert Creenan/Huron Daily Tribune)
Some of the items available at Forget-Me-Not Antiques in Bad Axe. (Robert Creenan/Huron Daily Tribune)
BAD AXE — With plenty of antique stores in the Thumb selling items of local interest, Ron Myers has found a unique way to make his store stand out.
Myers has run Forget-Me-Not Antiques out of a Huron Avenue house in Bad Axe since 2009, specializing in antiques from outside of Michigan that date as far back at the 17th century.
Antiques started out as more of a hobby for Myers, as he has a PhD in microbiology from Michigan State University, previously worked for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals while living in Vermont, and did part-time work for Dow Agrosciences after moving back to Harbor Beach.
Myers initially bough antiques to furnish his home as he would go to auctions and sales and buy good quality walnut and cherry wood furniture. His love for antiques grew from there, having three different booths at antique malls in Indiana and Vermont, and displaying items around the country in 1997 and 1998.
“I really appreciate the history,” Myers said, as his store contains items mainly from the early pilgrim period of the 17th century through the 19th century. “The items were handmade, because they did not have commercial outlets to buy things. I have a high appreciation for the workmanship, the craftsmanship, and the utilitarian nature of such items of that time period.”
A lot of work goes into finding all these antiques, as Myers would hunt through other antique stores across the country prior to the pandemic. For the past 10 years, he has had a picker in New York State supply him with items though shows and auctions out there. As a result, most of the items in the store come from New York, New England, and Pennsylvania.
Most of the customers that Myers receives come from different parts of Michigan, like the Detroit area, Grand Rapids, and South Haven, who have lakeshore cottages in Huron County. The majority of Myers’ business is done online, and if he does not have a particular item in stock, he will send customers to another antique store that may have it.
People that buy from Myers like small furniture pieces or old boxes to display in a country setting. Myers used to do refurbishing work on products he would buy at estate sales and auctions, but over the past 20 years, people have preferred more natural surfaces, so he only uses a bit of oil to bring out the life of the wood.
“All of what I sell are authentic antiques,” Myers said. “I don’t have reproductions of newer items. Everything I have is from primarily the 18th and 19th centuries, and I have a little bit of china from the early 20th century. When people come into my shop, the comment on and appreciate the fact that everything is of the time period.”
“What I carry is pretty much unique to this area of Michigan,” Myers said. “I’ve had quite a few dealers come in and say this is the best shop they’ve been in in Michigan.”
Myers said there is a need for more antique shops like his, as others in Huron County have either gone out of business or had their owners pass on.
“I would benefit if there were one or two more shops around here,” Myers said, as that would give customers more of a reason to stop inside.
The Link LonkNovember 28, 2020 at 10:00PM
https://www.michigansthumb.com/insider/article/Forget-Me-Not-Antiques-brings-in-items-from-15758334.php
Forget-Me-Not Antiques brings in items from outside Michigan - Huron Daily Tribune
https://news.google.com/search?q=forget&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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