By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – When Jeanne Wagle and Esther Jessup signed a three-month booth lease at the Four Flags Antique Mall, they weren't quite sure what to expect.
"We had so many antiques. We are long-time collectors. But after time we had so many items we had to get rid of some, so we decided to have a house sale" Jessup said.
It went very well. So well, that Jessup and Wagle decided it might be a good idea to sell their antique items more often.
"We saw an ad in the paper for this antique mall opening and they were looking for dealers. At this time, antique malls were very uncommon, nobody had really even heard of them, but we thought we might as well give it a shot," Wagle said.
The two shared only half a booth and decided the three-month lease would give them enough time to see how things went.
"When the antique mall first opened, they had just a small open house. We had 17 pieces set out for sale, so we didn't bring much," Wagle said.
By the end of the first day, the two had one item left – a green chair.
"We were so amazed. People just swarmed in. I had no idea it would go that well," Jessup said.
The two would have never expected that three-month lease would turn into a 25-year deal. Jessup and Wagle are two of the original dealers still selling items at the Four Flags Antique Mall. They now have two booths and a wide variety of items.
Saturday and Sunday, the antique mall, located at 218 N. Second St., will not only celebrate a Holiday Open House, but their 25 years of dedicated and successful service to Niles.
Hours on Saturday will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. There will be plenty of sale items, door prizes, homemade refreshments and more.
Linda Kubiak, manager of the antique mall, said she believes the success of the store came not only from the actual building itself, but the loyal dealers and the friendly atmosphere.
"The building adds to it because it is the old Montgomery Ward building. It provides the perfect atmosphere for this kind of store. People walk in a say they feel like they are at home. We are very fortunate to have wonderful and loyal dealers and I think these are the top reasons the antique mall has done so well," Kubiak said.
The building was first bought by Ted and Marie Majerek and was later given to their daughters.
"We are really looking forward to this weekend. We will have lots of sales and baked goods as well as Christmas items, which seem to be very popular at the open houses," Wagle said.
For Wagle and Jessup, this will be their 25th open house, as one has been held yearly since 1982.
"We've had our ups and downs just like any business does, but we are having so much fun and really enjoy where we are and what we do," Wagle added.