Rockiní Chair Antiques opens on Hwy. 5 in North Branch

By Barbara Brown
Vi Hofer and Gale Babcock opened Rockiní Chair Antiques in February hoping to share a store front to sell all their old treasures.
Since then, business has been slow but steady, said Hofer. She said more and more customers come in each week.
The term ìantiqueî may not mean the same thing to all people, Hofer said.
She said people in their 20s may think milk shake machines and soda fountains are antiques, while people in their 70s may believe those same items are just past utensils.
Hofer used to own Ginger Avenue Collectibles in Harris.
Whatever might draw the attention of antique shoppers of all ages is available at Rockiní Chair.
The selection includes traditional favorites like carnival glass, ceramic figurines, political and sports logos and advertising campaigns.
But, while Rockiní Chair Antiques boasts a solid footing in those types of antiques, the owners have spiced up their collections with fascinating pieces that spark the imagination and get a shoppers creative decorating juices flowing.
For example, one of two prized pieces from Babcockís collection include a time clock that manually allowed up to 50 employees to clock in at work.
The item is priceless for Babcock, Hofer said.
The second honored piece is an 1800s shot box that would have been used in a general store to measure out shot for guns.
Hofer keeps sharp on what antique buyers might want by attending reading trade publications.
She said she likes to see what is popular on the East Coast because those trends very well may make their ways to Minnesota.
Hofer has formed her own opinions as to why people like going to antique stores. Itís a two-part opinion.
One reason is that people naturally like to collect, Hofer said.
But more than collecting, Hofer said, a lot of people who shop for antiques want a connection to the past.
The shoppers that return to the antique stores want something nostalgic.
ìThe people who invented all these things had quite an imagination,î she said.
ìYou canít find stuff like this anymore.î
Rockiní Chair Antiques, located next to Ruddyís Rentals on Hwy. 5, is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For information, call 651-674-2484.

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