Noblesville Antiques on the Square Reopens Under New Owner
Photographer / Amy Payne
For 30 years Jill Janusiewicz, now owner of Noblesville Antiques on the Square, cleaned houses while raising her three daughters, Avery, Abigail and Kayte. All the while she was attending college, and in 2016 she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. During the summer of 2017, Janusiewicz began working as a clerk at the Noblesville Antique Mall. She later became the store’s manager.
In March, however, Noblesville Antique Mall closed its doors. The lease ended in June and the previous owners weren’t looking to renew. The landlord, however, knew Janusiewicz well and said he would be happy if she chose to take over the lease. She thought it seemed like a great opportunity, as she has enjoyed building relationships with customers and dealers for more than three years. On July 1, Janusiewicz signed a new lease and hit the ground running so she could reopen the shop on August.
“It was a completely empty, 10,000-square-foot building that had not been painted in 40-plus years, so we took the opportunity to clean and paint it from ceiling to floor – all three levels,” Janusiewicz says.
When she says “we,” she’s referring to the group effort that involved her staff, dealers and loyal customers, all of whom pitched in to help.
“The community really came together, and the amount of work we did to be able to open up 30 days later was astounding,” says Janusiewicz, who logged 15- to 17-hour days during the month of July. “If it wasn’t for all these people, we would not have been able to open on August 1.”
Opening day of the renamed Noblesville Antiques on the Square exceeded Janusiewicz’s expectations. She was pleased that 95% of the original dealers came back, along with 15 new ones. Her customers were eager to return as well.
“The city has been nothing but positive,” she says. “This place is a staple in our town. A 40-year-old business like this one you can’t just shut down, or else it hurts the whole town, because people come in from all over and shop here, plus the other shops.”
Janusiewicz has been enamored with antiques ever since her first trip to an antique store when she was 9 years old.
“I got an Avon perfume bottle with this blue and white design on it,” she says.
Now she collects china, and currently owns seven different sets.
“I use every bit of it,” she says. “If I have it, I’m using it.”
Noblesville Antiques on the Square features old coins, vintage jewelry, vinyl records, tin signs and vintage clothing.
“It’s endless to be honest,” says Janusiewicz, referring to the massive amount of merchandise, which is replenished daily. “Literally every single day we get fresh merchandise in from dealers, which is great because we have several die-hard customers who come in once or twice a week.”
Some may come in for old Pyrex, pottery, paper weights, postcards, or perhaps salt and pepper shakers.
“I never knew until I started working here how huge of a selection there was of vintage salt and pepper shakers, and they came up with some of the craziest combinations – poodles, umbrellas, feet or old telephones,” Janusiewicz says. “You name it and it’s a salt and pepper shaker.”
Customers also come in search of old “Life” magazine copies to give as anniversary or birthday gifts.
“I hear all the time, ‘Oh my gosh, I feel old now. These are toys from when I was a kid,’” says Janusiewicz, who sells 85% vintage and 15% repurposed items.
One might not expect teenagers to show up in an antique shop, but Janusiewicz says she sees a steady stream of teens on a regular basis.
“The next generation loves hanging out in here,” Janusiewicz says. “Sometimes they’ll come in for a school project or just to go through vinyl records, comic books or vintage clothing.”
Even though she’s working in the same building every day, Janusiewicz is pleased that no two days are alike.
“You don’t know who you’re going to meet or the stories you’re going to hear about the pieces customers are buying,” she says. “I’ve learned a lot, both from customers and from dealers, over the past several years.”
Janusiewicz is thrilled to be the new owner and to be working on the square.
“I love the people,” she says. “I love the other merchants. I love being down here. My social life and work life is all rolled into one.”
Noblesville Antiques on the Square, open seven days a week, is located at 20 North 9th Street in Noblesville. For more information, call 317-678-8150 or visit noblesville-antique-mall.business.site.
