By By RANDI K. PICKLEY / Edwardsburg Argus
EDWARDSBURG - Bob Hunt has been selling antiques in Edwardsburg, for over 25 years.
His first shop was originally located where the Taco Bell now stands on M 62 across from the Edwardsburg water tower. Bob says that whenever he eats at Taco Bell, it's like sitting in his old kitchen which was in just about the same spot.
His current store, the Village Peddler, is presently located at the corner of Lake Street and U.S.-12. When travelers from Detroit, or as far away as Nashville, Tenn., drive past, they are drawn to the interesting items displayed in the parking lot, then stroll inside for a look at the large collection of memorabilia. Most take home a treasure or two.
Although Hunt is well-versed in the business of antiques, his jovial manner and the casual atmosphere of his shop make customers feel as if they just stepped into an old-fashioned dry goods store for a chat.
Mixing humorous tales with bits of wisdom and gleanings of local history, Bob shares the stories of the items he sells. From golf clubs to tintype photos to railroad items and glassware, he offers a wide variety of collectibles. There is even a room dedicated entirely to records albums.
Serious antique buffs are likely to spend an enjoyable afternoon exploring the treasures to be found at the Village Peddler. Yet even the most ardent antiquer can't help but notice the sculptured figures that adorn the shop, both inside and out. The heads of buffalo and antlered deer, fish of all kinds, and even the skull of a steer line the walls of the store like a hunting lodge. But, as Bob said, "No animal had to die." That's because he creates these game trophies from re-cycled brown paper bags through the magic of papier-mache.
Papier-mache is the art of building up layers of paper strips mixed with glue to form sculptured shapes. Built on a sturdy wood base, Hunt uses cardboard to form the body of the sculpture, then layers the glue and paper strips on top until the form resembles a musical instrument,an animal, or maybe a comic book character. He can even sculpt the head of a piece to match a customer's features. Each piece is painted when the glue is dry and some are also sealed to protect them from the weather if they're to be used out-of-doors.
Hunt has a limitless imagination when it comes to designing sculptures. You'll find a spectacled fisherman carrying the fish he caught and a baseball player in full uniform holding a real baseball bat. Batman is sure to catch your eye in his bright blue costume with matching mask and cape and there are a variety of musicians playing anything from violins and trumpets to saxophones and banjos. Mr. Hunt, however, disclaims any talent in the field of music, saying that the only music he knows how to play is on the radio. Just the same, each of his sculptures are unique and represent an example of local contemporary folk art.
These sculptures range in size from two feet tall (a free standing spotted chicken) to over six feet in height (a cigar store Indian). His latest creation is a six foot canoe complete with a life-size Indian paddling the craft and a second Indian shooting his bow and arrow
The Village Peddler is open at noon on Tuesday and Wednesday, at 11 on Thursday and Saturday, and at 1 p.m. on Friday. He closes at 5 p.m. each day. The place is easy to recognize by the colorful collection of papier-mache characters that adorn the front of the building. And while you're there, don't miss the chance to talk with the owner. If you ask Hunt what he wants out of life, he'll tell you he's still looking for that 25 cent gallon of gasoline. And maybe that's what antiquing is all about anyway: recapturing the simplicity of days gone by.
So if the road happens to take you through downtown Edwardsburg, stop in for a minute, hear a story or two, experience a little folk art, and explore the past. You'll find that taking a stroll down memory lane can be a pleasant journey if you travel it with Bob Hunt.