Store for All Styles
The Barn Door Antique Boutique Has Something for Many Tastes
Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger
Photographer / Kari Lipscomb
Ambiance succinctly describes the sensation of walking into a room and being swept into a welcoming, inviting panorama of living scenery. It evokes an oasis of respite where the accents are captivating and the air seems warmer.
Its that moment when folks truly feel as though theyre finally coming home.
Janet Martin, proprietor of The Barn Door Antique Boutique in Middlebury, understands this wholeheartedly. Within her aptly named business, beautifully laid out in a rustic, farmstead setting, there are distinctive wares, unique gifts, and many items bound to suit shoppers across the spectrum of interests and styles.
Right now Martin is navigating one of the busiest times of year, with shades of fall and hints of the holidays dominating the merchandise and decor. As of November 1, virtually every inch of the vast, 7,500-square-foot building will, symbolically and literally, be ready to deck the halls.
Martin describes her shop as a place to find medium-range to high-end items. That includes, to list only a few, antiques, home furnishings, repurposed goods, vintage-inspired designs, and an array of notions ideally suited as gifts. Trends that have consistently been in demand for the majority of customers are lake-cottage themes, primitives, and kitchenware from brands like Beatriz Ball and Casafina.
Among some of the newest product lines to make an appearance at The Barn Door are Mud Pie apparel and gifts, and Bourbon Barrel spices, sauces and coffees. Martin is anticipating the arrival of even more exclusive products by the first of the year. Inventories and collections are consistently changing to reflect the seasons, and Martin works with a variety of vendors. She is also open to accepting items on consignment.
Another feature of The Barn Door that draws customers in from across the Midwest is the selection of floral designs, crafted from artificial yet realistically fashioned materials. Weve become a destination for our florals, Martin says. Weve had customers from as far away as Wisconsin and Chicago.
The Barn Door also has a sophisticated and visually exciting website, where shoppers can browse and buy the same premier gifts and quality home goods found at the store. There, guests can take in the sights of thoughtfully executed vignettes and decorating ideas, read customer reviews, and see the dimensions of various items before purchasing. A refined searching process allows customers to narrow their views according to price points, brands, occasions and departments. Folks can also create gift registries, enlist the assistance of personal shoppers, and compile wish lists to review favorite items at any time. Martin also maintains an evolving social media presence on Facebook and Instagram, through which new products, special events and other information are revealed and updated. There are also snippets of news from the designers she carries, who share the platform as a way to promote current and future releases.
As Martin readies her boutique for the festivities of the coming months, she is also proud to present some approaching special events to show her appreciation for customers both near and far. The Barn Door will be the perfect setting for a Hometown Holiday open house, scheduled for November 17, 18 and 19. She is planning an extravaganza of special sales, product tastings and door prizes. Additionally, as part of an ongoing mission to support local businesses, she will be participating in local Small Business Saturday promotions.
Visit The Barn Door Antique Boutique at 52886 State Road 13 in Middlebury. To check out everything that The Barn Door has to offer, go to barndoorllc.com. For questions and more info, call 574-358-0074 or email janet@barndoorllc.com.
