With 80 degree temperatures, sunny skies, and a gorgeous  South Carolina day, Another Time had the largest crowd in the shop that we’ve ever had this Saturday. Nearly 100 friendly customers passed through our doors. What a blast!! Two frequent questions were: Do we make trades, and will we come to local homes to examine antiques? The answer to both questions is YES. I really like to look at old “stuff,” whether a purchase or trade is made or not. Get on up here next weekend for the Shrimp Festival and the Blessing of our fleet. You won’t be sorry.  Saturday night Bluegrass will be starting soon. Ask me about it.

In addition to my “need” for a cannon, I’m also looking for a nice potbelly stove. It can be large or small, but must be complete and unbroken. In the old days, every store had one; now they’ve all but disappeared. You may wonder why I would need a stove in 85 degree weather; my wife does also. Know of a nice one? Call or email me. Thank you. Bill

P.S.
Out of the eight previously mentioned Hamilton Beach milkshake makers I bought, three are left; all working and no chips. Hurry!

Lord ‘ha mercy!!! How could I have forgotten? Next weekend is the annual McClellanville Shrimp Festival. The world’s best seafood served FRESH from the docks will be served in our town’s fine restaurants (as always). There are many activities planned and you won’t want to miss this. Come for the day, the weekend, or for a lifetime. Please remember: “FRIENDS DON’T LET FRIENDS EAT IMPORTED SHRIMP.” (or any other imported seafood).

In the tiny village of McClellanville, (pop. circa 560), there has been a thriving industry of fishing, shrimping, crabbing, clamming, and other ocean-related vocations. In the last few years, non-American fleets have invaded our waters with definitely sub-standard, frozen merchandise. They buy fuel cheaper, pay less and, in general are slowly eroding what was once our thriving seafood industry. Do you have any idea how hard a shrimper works? How dangerous the job is? How good our FRESH seafood is? Most people don’t realize that most of the seafood they buy in local restaurants actually are harvested by huge fleets from the Far East. The next time you think of ordering seafood, ask your server or the manager where their seafood was harvested. As the saying goes here: “Friends don’t let friends eat imported seafood.” Please help this tiny pocket of American industry survive. Don’t buy imported seafood!!!

Speaking of freebies, a kind old gentleman came to the shop this afternoon with a large basket full of Matchbox, Hot Wheels, and other assorted cars, trucks, motorcycles, construction equipment, etc. They belonged to his grown grandchildren and he would not take any money for them. Since he didn’t charge for them, I’m not going to charge for them. Any good little seven year old and under can pick one vehicle of his/her choice free. This offer good till all are gone.

What’s your item worth? Like the man said: “Condition, condition, condition.” If an item was born junk, it’s likely to remain junk. If it was high quality to start with and well-taken care of, it’s worth more. And did I mention originality – not restored, repainted, etc. As the same man said: “Each object only has one chance to be original.” We think we’re very fair.

People constantly ask us what we buy, what we’re interested in, and how much are their items worth? We buy darn near anything. My wife’s family kitchenware, dating back to the 1700′s is highly prized. I sort of specialize in antique scales, radios, any kind of weird Rube Goldberg device that does absolutely nothing worthwhile, and high quality cast iron toys. What I have wanted, ever since I went to an event in Virginia, is a real full-size cannon. I prefer a field cannon, homemade or not, but a Navy piece would work also. No, I’m not kidding!! Just wait till my neighbors see it in the yard. Know of a nice piece?

Our old friend, Nikki Hardin, publisher of SKIRT! magazine/newspaper, is now displaying her wares in our shop. SKIRT!, by its very name clearly indicates that her publication is aimed at women. However, with the excellent photography and super articles, there is something for everyone. Stop by our shop and pick up a copy. It’s free!!! (But, due to the high quality, I suspect it won’t be free much longer). Go get ‘em, Nikki!

In the old days, in nearly every soda fountain in the country, Hamilton Beach was the “good stuff.” It still is. I lucked into an old soda fountain in the Pickens, SC area and bought a treasure trove of milk shake makers, most in the popular jadeite color, some very neat old ice cream scoops, some Coca Cola items, and a variety of other “stuff.” Give me a call or stop at the shop and check these items out. I don’t think they’re going to last long.

I know an old farmer up our way who doesn’t waste his time farming. He has discovered a gold mine. Going to flea markets and junk shops, he buys up items made in the Far East. They are then put behind his barn or cutting shed to properly “age.” When unsuspecting tourists come to his door asking if he has anything old to sell, he leads them, usually Yankees (and I don’t use Yankee’s as a negative term), back to his “supply,” identifying most items as pre-1900. The buyer pays twenty to thirty times what the item is worth, and is quite pleased with the purchase. The old adage enters here: “If it looks to good to be true, it usually is too good to be true. Moral of the story: deal with reputable sellers who stand behind their merchandise. Here at Another Time, we guarantee our merchandise to be original (or not). Please visit us, or at least come visit McClellanville.