Lowell, Indiana: Tish’s Antiques

May 3rd, 2010 | By Jessica Nunemaker | Category: Lowell, little Towns

This is an amazing building – lots of woodwork and tons of really nice antiques! After you step inside, well, you won’t be surprised to hear that it has been in business for 35 years! What’s more – they are a second generation shop! Now – you definitely don’t come across that everyday!

That’s pretty heartening news to hear anywhere – but especially for a small town like Lowell, Indiana. So, I had to find out more about the family business – here’s the story, from the Tish’s Antiques owner, Patricia.

My mother and I really enjoyed going to flea markets, auctions and garage sales together. We seemed to be buying a lot of colorful glass and other treasures. In 1975 we walked into an antique shop in Lowell and discovered some of the items we had been buying were in fact Depression glass. We immediately bought a book about the glass of the depression era.

Our next step was to rent a selling space in Lowell. My mother named the business Tish’s as Tish is short for Patricia, which is both of our first names. I was young and a new mother and could not run a business. My mother and my father built this shop in to one of the nicest antique shops in NW Indiana specializing in furniture.

They bought all the oak they could find because they loved the look of oak. They also purchased furniture containers from England. I recall the excitement of looking at all the wonderful pieces they bought. Estates were another way they stocked the store. I was there at every opportunity to help. I always loved the business.

My mother had a love for and an interest in antiques long before going into the business. I studied and learned the Depression glass first. Then started learning about other areas and I did a lot of buying for Tish’s over the years. For more than a decade I have worked side by side with my mother to keep Tish’s open. It truly is a labor of love.

In 2003 my mother was struggling with the idea of closing Tish’s. I knew she really did not want to let go but she wanted the freedom from the responsibility. My children were grown and I really didn’t want to let go of this truly great shop my mom and dad built. My husband and I offered to buy the store.

I have learned a great deal from my mother and father and will keep quality in the store. If you haven’t visited us in recent years you need to. We have been very busy buying and stocking the store with wonderful treasures from all over the US our upstairs is open and the entire store is filled.

Our 4000 square foot building, two floors, is filled with furniture and accessories dating back to the mid 1800’s and we have been able to find the occasional piece from 1700s. Our line includes Primitive and Country, Victorian, Art Deco, Arts and crafts/ Mission & etc. 99% of our pieces are ready to go into your home. Furniture, clocks, lighting, museum quality lace, linens, cap guns and 1920s dresses and hats are among our favorite items.

And they sure do! Lowell, Indiana is packed with shops of various kinds – so stay tuned for more!

Tish’s Antiques
201 E Commercial Ave (St Rte 2)
Lowell, IN 46356

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