Something for Everyone to Enjoy
Jamesport is known for its Amish community with a great deal of history that shaped the town into what it is today. Warren House Antiques is just one antiques store in Jamesport that shares a part of this local history and beyond.
It all started with owners Gary and Carol Ellis. Gary had been collecting since he was a kid, but when he and Carol got married in 1963 they went to auctions shopping for furniture because they couldn't afford to buy new.
The Ellis' came to realize how much better this older furniture was made and developed a special appreciation for the quality of craftsmanship in its making. When they got tired of what they had or found something better they bought more furniture and it
started piling up. It soon became clear to them that this older furniture had value so they started selling it from their garage.
Eventually they put up a Morton building on their property where they continued to do business. It all began with furniture, but soon turned into a passion and they hit the road. The Ellis' have been dealing in antiques for many years now. They have traveled all over the country buying and selling antiques of all kinds.
After many years of traveling and enduring the expenses they decided it was time to slow down and in 1984 they purchased the old drug store in Jamesport, turned it into an antiques store, and settled in there. They ended up purchasing Warren House Antiques
in 1991, but running both businesses became too much for them so they sold their first business and kept WHA open.
The Ellis' were set on Jamesport and persistent about making it all a part of public interest. It only made sense to promote the Amish community; anyone interested in old world style of living would most certainly be interested in antiques.
A significant contribution the Ellis' made for the Jamesport community was to help establish the Jamesport Community Association. JCA is responsible for pulling local businesses together for advertising by promoting the Amish community and bringing people to Jamesport to experience its distinctive environment. JCA is still active and largely responsible for making things happen. This organization is made up of local business owners determined to make Jamesport thrive by promoting activities and events to attract tourism.
Many dealers and collectors are very aware of what WHA has to offer, but there is much more to it than that. WHA has something for everyone to enjoy. WHA is not just for dealers and collectors; it is a great place to bring the family. It is full of many interesting items that are reminders of past generations and a very educational place to bring children.
LuAnn Briscoe has been working at WHA for nearly four years and she is definitely an interesting person herself. Briscoe can explain many of the items and share how they were used or what purpose they served. Briscoe described a set of china made in Prussia by the famous maker Reinhold Schlegelmilch in the late 1800s. Another special item she shared was a Red Wing water cooler made in Minnesota from particular clay that is unique to that area.
People visit WHA for many different reasons, but Briscoe said the Amish community shop there to purchase things they are going to use in their homes and shops. For whatever reason one has to visit, they can be assured there will be much to look at. The shelves at WHA are full of everything from dolls, bottles and tools, to dishes, clothing and jewelry, but that is just a beginning.
There are nine different vendors displaying items and they all have their own special interest in dealing and collecting that makes for a wide variety of antiques at WHA. Antiques are definitely a good business to be involved in. Briscoe said a lagging economy has caused the price of antiques to be bought and sold at better prices.
Unlike the gold or silver markets that fluctuate for many different reasons, antiques are an “is what it is” kind of business and will always do well.
Please visit www.jamesportmissouri.org for information on the many auctions, festivals and special events to attend. While you are there be sure to stop in and see all the wonderful things WHA has to offer. It may be an opportunity for you to find that one special piece to complete your collection.
Warren House Antiques is located at 118 E. Auberry Grove in the downtown area of Jamesport. Look for the old Coca-Cola sign hanging out front that has been there since the early 1900s when the building was originally a grocery store. For any other additional information you may need before arriving, you can contact them by phone at (660) 684-6266.
