Everything antique is new again as the doors have reopened at 272 Innisfil St.
Sanford and Son has taken over the popular second-hand venue, despite the doors supposedly closing on June 30 when the store was known as the Barrie Antiques Centre.
Shirley Sanford says this isn’t new to her, as her family was a mainstay many years ago at that location, just off Essa Road.
“We were here 25 years ago with the same Sanford and Son name,” Sanford told BarrieToday. “We were pushed out, but it really is a great feeling to be back.”
It was originally believed that the building was sold to a developer who was tearing it down immediately, but Sanford wants everyone to know that isn’t the case.
“We are open for business and want everyone to stop by,” she said. “The building was sold and I’m not too sure what the future holds after two years, but we’re for at least that long."
The store, which features numerous vendors selling all sorts of wares, is approximately 13,000 square feet.
Sanford says it's the vendors who make the building what it is.
“I’m so thankful that 18 dealers stayed on to come with us and some are coming back,” she said. “We have some of the best dealers around and there is such a wide variety of items to buy. There really is something for everybody.”
Sanford and Son houses a selection of furniture, antiques and collectibles from various genres and eras.
The two floors have long acted like a maze of countless treasures as shoppers walk around looking for that perfect purchase.
“I think what really makes us what we are is the people who stop in,” Sanford said. “It has always been fantastic to see people walking around with a coffee just browsing, until you see their eyes light up and they grab something like their grandparents used to own.
"My favourite thing was one time seeing this 10-year-old boy getting all excited when he saw the dinky cars," she added. "He collected them, which blew me away, because those toys have been around for so long. It was like Christmas morning to that little boy!”
Sanford, who has another location in Dundalk, Ont., says it's nice to see things come full circle.
“I lost my mom eight years ago,” she said. “In a way, in a little way for us, it's like we brought her home.”
Sanford and Son will be having an official grand opening on October 19 and 20 and is currently open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and though closed on Mondays, they're open holiday Mondays, too.
