Tipton Vintage & Artisan Market Showcases Pieces More Than a Century Old
Photography Provided
When visitors walk into Memory Lane Antiques, located at 120 North Main Street, they immediately sense the shop is different from a typical antique store. Owned by Susan DeVault and her husband Jack, the shop showcases antique pieces more than a century old as well as vintage items and hand-crafted offerings by local artisans. After being in the business for almost 30 years, the couple is still enthusiastic about the unique inventory they provide to customers.
Its not your Grandmas antique shop. People say, This doesnt smell like an antique shop! I wash all the vintage linens and iron them. Jack washes the furniture. And we display things differently. Weve bought some crazy stuff, had a lot of fun, and met the nicest people, says Susie DeVault.
DeVaults interest in selling antiques began several years ago when she frequented a Tipton antique shop, Timeless Treasures, that was housed in the old J.C. Pennys building. She would often browse there on her lunch hour. The owner encouraged her to start her own business and allowed her to open a booth. Later, DeVault maintained booths in antique malls in Noblesville, Wabash and Bunker Hill.
Ten years ago, she began Memory Lane Antiques in Tipton. The shop has been in its current location for the last three years.
We are a half-block north of the Court House and like where we are. There is a lot of walking traffic and other businesses around that look great, DeVault says.
Inside, customers find a variety of genuine antiques but also a bit of midcentury modern nostalgic pieces along with merchandise from local makers. The furniture is all high quality and there is an impressive selection of man-cave items including military memorabilia. Pottery from the closed companies of Weller, Roseville and McCoy allow collectors to find the highly sought-after vases, plates and platters they desire.
One unique item we found in Green Bay, Wisconsin was half of a sculling boat from England, DeVault adds. In fact, we have bought several parts of boats. People that live on lakes just need those. We sold the front and the back of a 1938 Thompson. The front of the boat was a light fixture and the back was a coffee table.
DeVault and her husband travel to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to continually add inventory to the shop. Using the town of Iron Mountain as a base, they buy objects such as oars, deer mounts, snowshoes and skis. Entering Michigan by way of Wisconsin, the couple search for items as they travel. Recently, they secured 10 sets of forest green and red Depression Ware that will be on display during the holiday season.
We work hard and the business keeps us young. We have great customers that have become friends. There is a reward to it. We know where the stuff goes and we hear how happy it makes the people who buy it, DeVault says.
Memory Lane Antiques is located at 120 North Main Street in Tipton. They are open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Monday and Tuesday by appointment. You can call 765-675-3004 or visit them online at memorylaneantiquestipton.com for more information.
