Elgin antique store closes
20 September 2009
RS
21 Comments
Sadly, a downtown Elgin antique store is closing. The antique store was formerly housed in the Heider electric building, which had originally been the home of the Elgin Windmill Company. The antique store took its name from the windmill factory calling itself the Elgin Windmill Factory Antiques. About a year ago, they moved out of that building into the old Waverly Stables, one of the few remaining cobblestone structures in Elgin. In both locations, I thought it was a great store with many items of historic interest. I’m sad to see it go.
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What fantastic photos!
They needed a better marketing plan. I have driven by there over the years and I never had any idea what was in there. Now that I see these pictures I probably would have been motivated to go in and check the place out.
Maybe the Elginite should take more pictures of products inside stores in order to help break the ice and motivate us to explore things further?
It is my understanding from people who have talked to the owner that he is closing primarily due to harassment from the city of Elgin over code violations and fines.
I simply MUST know who took these photos and if they are for sale!
I’m so glad that you like the pictures, Boxcar. I took them myself actually. If you want a print, let me know which picture and what size. Send me an email (elginite at gmail). Thanks.
I purchased an item from this shop a few weeks ago and the owner told me he was closing because people don’t want to pay anything for his stuff and that they think it’s a garage sale and want to pay pennies on the dollar. I think this is a case of people just not having what they used to have to spend and that filters down to the small businesses. It’s a wonderful little shop and perhaps in better economic times it would survive but I got the impression from the owner that he was tired of struggling to keep it going. He did not mention harrassment from Elgin officials.
Elginite…this was news to me! I called the owner of Elgin Windmill Factory Antiques, Mr. Will Alexander, and this certainly IS NOT the case. They are very much open! In fact, he is hosting an auction this Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot of his store at 219 W. Highland Ave. Viewing begins at 9 a.m. There is free parking in a nice surface lot across the street. There will be a menagerie of authentic antiques on display, from primitive tools to clocks to glassware to watches to Elgin memorabilia, all at a fair price. And, there are no buyers’ premiums. See you Saturday. And please pass the good word.
Thanks for the information, Tonya. I’m sure our readers will be glad to know that it’s not too late to visit the store and that the auction has no buyer’s premium!
Do you know what the plans are for after the auction? Because my understanding was that this is a going out of business type of auction. If that’s not the case, it would be great news indeed!
If the auction is successful it will allow Will to better position himself and reevaulate his situation. The DNA is stepping up to help him with a few things. The store is a unique fixture on the border of the downtown and is a really nice use of that portion of the building on Highland. Support from the Elgin community is essential.
“this certainly IS NOT the case. ”
What isn’t the case? He isn’t going out of business? He isn’t being harrassed by the city? What?
Or is he doing the classic going out of business sale scam while not going out of business!
I too have heard his concerns about the code violations from the city. Will is always happy to tell you about it. The city didn’t like the way he was hanging his American Flag. I’m sure he still has it in the same position he had it when the city sent him the nasty gram. It’s amazing that if you look up the street a couple of store fronts, there’s a mexican flag being flown very proudly. No problems there though of course. This poor guy was just showing his patriotism by flying his flag. His flag pole didn’t meet city standards though so…they made their choice. The problem is Mr. Alexander has always been a voice of dissent with our wonderful city council. Big surprise they tried to beat him down every chance they got. What a nice town. Soon institutions like these will be gone and replaced with stores like GAP and Old Navy. What a shame. Hope the auction goes well Will! You truly are a dying breed and I wish there were more people like you. Good luck in your next endeavor! I’ve only met you a couple of times, but I know you’re not going to just sit back.
Thanks for the input, Lifer. I assumed he didn’t own the building and I couldn’t figure out what kind of code violations he’d have to cause him to shut down. Seems a bit silly to shut down because his flag display didn’t meet code.
It is my understanding he is using a local auctioneer and was going to have the sale last week-end but due to the horse trampling tragedy Schuetz had to postpone.
The advertisement said the auctioneer is from Ashton, IL which is 90 miles away from Elgin.
Auctioneer was indeed long time local resident Remmer Schuetz.
Did you actually not go because the auctioneer might not have been local? That’d be almost as bizarre as standing outside the fence listening to CCR because they wanted the outrageous price of $5 to get in!
You missed some good bargains.
It didn’t appear to me Alexander was going out of business.
I guess I’ll never know the truth as to his supposed code violations. An urban legend???
The cobblestone building his shop is in dates from 1853. Quite impressive building. Out back in the court yard there is a multi-story massive chimney/furnace. Great place for an antique shop.
No. I couldn’t attend no matter who was auctioneer. I know Mr. Schuetz moved away when his beautiful property was sold in Dundee a few years ago.
I WAS tempted to park at El Faro and listen to the auction chatter from across the street so I wouldn’t have to buy anything.
Then I woke up sweating at 3 a.m.
I hope so Tonya and am glad to hear it. What specifically is DNA planning, it might be nice for those other businesses on State in that corridor to know what’s available. That’s just another eye sore in our town. Looking forward to your response.
Which city council members beat him down? Did he ever meet with the new city manager? Frankly, I do not know of any antique business that is doing well, even in St. Charles. Ebay has a lot to do with that.
How much of that is in this decision?
I went to Trefon’s restaurant today and saw the advertisement for the auction. The owner is using an out of town auction company. It does not indicate if there are any minimum bids, so be prepared, especially in a business auction for minimums.
Yeah, I agree Paul. Seems silly is right, I just think he’s tired of the nonsense. If business is going well, nonsense doesn’t seem to matter too much.
All I know is what Will told me himself when I made a purchase from him. He did seem kind of down that day…perhaps he has been going back and forth about going out of business and new input and new ideas have convinced him to stay open, if his auction goes well, pumping some capital into his investment. I sure hope so and wish him and his cool, unique shop well. But he himself told me in the early part of September that he was hanging it up because he was tired of the struggle, and that no one wants to pay anything for his wares anymore…that people come in there thinking he’s a garage sale. I felt bad for him.
I’ve seen the sign - to be quite honest, I didn’t even know which building it was for or what was in there. My family will take a special look if we have the chance, love to find a quality antique at a good deal. We purchased an Elgin watch from Elgin Antiques during the Walk-about-Theatre dates in August. Would of been nice to realize Windmill was around and check out a place besides ABLE furniture.
I think this is so sad. I know how much pride the owner has taken in this beautiful shop. I would think this would be a big loss for the city. I am so sorry……..
Sending prayer & good wishes
Loui ~
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