The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

Over the years I have written about several jobs I once worked at, and usually got fired from, and businesses I once tried to operate. If the business involved livestock of any kind, is usually made money until I got bored.

That left several dozen businesses I never tried to operate and wouldn’t have know how to, anyway. Just a few days ago I discovered a business that I would be good at it. The business that would not have ever interested me but I immediately knew I would be good at it. The business plan was obvious and something I could definitely do, even though no cows, horses, ropes or tractors were involved. The business? An antique store.

Here’s how it all came to be. Just a few days ago, I borrowed some jars from one of Sue’s friends for a little canning project I do most years before Christmas, among the jars she brought me was a very special colored Mason jar that was once her mothers. Without going into detail, I’ll just say the jar is no longer a jar. I was so embarrassed and sad to have ruined it, finding a replacement was my only way to redemption.

“Where do you find an antique jar?” you might ask? “Easy, an antique store.” I knew our town had one as well as similar stores in a couple small neighboring towns. All I would need to do was go antique shopping.

My first stop gave me a glimpse into my new found business to be. The big store front windows featured dozen of antique items while behind them were literally thousands more it appeared. Everything I could see looked brand new, ever through they had to be decades old. There was one problem. It was closed. A little sign on the door said “closed until” and a little cardboard clock face had hands indicating 12.

“OK, so you don’t get my money” I thought as I headed to my next stop, a very antique looking building, like the first building with beautiful, like new antiques. Unfortunately, like the first, it was closed. My third and final stop at the next little town even had a few “slightly used” items setting outside. I knew the inside had to be jam packed. This one even had one of those fancy “Ring” door bells which I pushed, just knowing my search was nearly to an end. Five minutes, then 10, no one ever appeared at the door. It, too, was closed. By the way this was a Wednesday morning. No holidays or anything that would close down a business.

On my drive home it hit me that I had discovered the perfect business.

First you buy an old run down building that couldn’t cost very much. Then you begin buying and storing in that building, just about any and everything imaginable, all brand new. Once the building, is packed wall to wall and close to the ceiling, lock the doors, that’s the most important part, hang out a closed until 12 sign, but don’t commit to what day, week or year. And leave it all set for 60 or 80 years. Don’t sell a single item.

Let it all just sit there until it becomes a “like new” antique. Then you open up and from your wheel chair, you rake in the cash. I would be a natural at running a business like that.

Oh, about my friends jar? I may never get to run my antique store because she is going to wring my neck!