Chapter 2 A peek inside the Corner Cupboard The contents were growing and so were the project. Auctions every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. A visit to one in New Waterford turned out to be like no other. Grandma bought the first piece up for bid, a dining room table and chairs. Then the second, a buffet and then the third a hutch. Everyone in the place stared at them. I imagine their thoughts were; she had money and was there to buy everything. But in reality, she only wanted a complete dining room set. This move, was to their advantage, setting the tone for a great even. No challengers, not even a few. This auction would be one that would never happen again. The truck and station wagon, both filled. Grandma had to stay behind and watch over all of their purchases, while Pap and Dad drove back and forth for more. Improvements to their new building were also necessary. It was a forgotten treasure, from the yesteryears in Salineville’s history. One of those great character filled spaces you can not build today. With a large front window, offering an excellent display area, made it difficult to pass by without catching your attention. The amazing rectangle door in the front of the store, had clear beveled glass and a crooked thumb press knob. This perfect door was one of the treasures from that fantastic New Waterford night. This piece, now welcomed everyone who entered. Passing through the door , I always loved the ceiling. Showcasing 15 foot high ceilings with its 3x3 squares of pressed metal tiles, you could not help but have your eyes drawn up. These decorative squares with different layers of paint, still had such character. Their charm and personality stretched to the back of the 80 ft room. This place had so much integrity, it deserved to be loved again. Once in, there were vintage quilts and blankets that line the walls from the front of the shop to the register? It was pleasing to the eye, but it also had a purpose. The plaster was coming loose from the walls and this covered that problem. On the other side, dad was covering the walls with weathered wood. Mid way back there were two huge glass show cases filled with just about everything you could imagine, from glassware to banks or jewelry. The large room was filled with rows of furniture. Living room, kitchen, dining room or bed room. Oh the cupboards! Corner, Hoosier, china and crud garage cupboards. If you were looking, there was a good chance you would find it and stuff you didn’t even know you were looking for. Projects waiting on dad, or maybe someone else, were in the back of the store. If you reached this room, there was a large support post that he attached a 2x4 to, so he could kept track of our families growth. This area was a large space with the coal furnace and a work bench, that also second as the lunch table. I would stop and grandma would have the same lunch. A sandwich on wheat bread and pickles, but it was the smell of her coffee from the thermos I remember the most. She sat on her stool with her legs crossed and we would just talk. It never failed, she would offer to share her lunch with me, but I never liked wheat bread or coffee as a kid. I loved to set behind the counter and pretend to work. The vintage National Cash Register on the table behind the counter with it’s mechanical keys. The snapping of the buttons, the flipping of the numbers and then the “Ka-ching” sound when the drawer flew open. I remember watching the large glass window in the front of the shop, I could see the traffic passing by. I could also watch people parking on main street and walking toward the door. It was fun, but unlike her lunch, Grandma never offered to share her job. She had a process, a system. She wasn’t going to share how it worked, Dad knew, but I am not sure my Pap did. Although, I am positive he never really minded. The basement was one place I never went, it scared me. The steps looked like they would fall over. I never though it was used much when I was young. But dad reminded me the front of the store was where they shoved all the coal through the shoot. He had to carry the coal through the basement and up the steps in 5 gallon buckets to the furnace. Now, I know why I never went down there! At the front of the store when you entered, to the right, was a door that lead to a staircase. There was also an entrance from outside, this took you to an up to an apartment. I remember as you entered this area the gray walls. People had signed their names over the years. The one I remember clearly read, “Marsha Brown was here”. She was my aunt and the mother of my cousins. She had lived in this apartment as a child with her family. The staircase was a beautiful grand open staircase at one time. A wall was added that closed it in and no one could see it anymore. The wood was pained and the hall way was a little dark. I would go up sometime just to dig around. It was exciting, looking back now, I realize this was where I practiced picking. The rooms were full of boxes, furniture and seasonal decorations. Large pictures, trunks and anything that did not have a place downstairs. This building was huge, three floors! For me it really seemed to go on forever. The measurements were 40 ft wide x 150 ft long x 3 floors. It was a perfect shop. It was the Corner Cupboard. .
Posted on: Mon, 04 Aug 2014 01:00:29 +0000
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