TECUMSEH TWP. — If you are looking close to home for a wide assortment of antiques and collectables, The Hitching Post Antiques Mall is a good place to start. Located on M-50, two miles west of Tecumseh near M-52, the Hitching Post carries Victorian items, lamps, lamp parts, dolls, toys, military memorabilia, china, glassware, furniture, books, clocks, collectibles and more.
The antiques mall was opened in 1984, 40 years ago this year, by John and Marlene Nelson. The building had been home to an Ethan Allen furniture store, and John and Marlene kept the name The Hitching Post after purchasing the building. Their son, Ken, is currently the manager, and daughter-in-law Theresa works in the store as well. Kelly Overholt works as the assistant manager.
To celebrate their 40th anniversary, The Hitching Post is having a sale from June 1 to June 15. Merchandise will be 20% off, with select items 40% off.
The Hitching Post is 8,000 square feet in size, plus 1,500 square feet more in the furniture barn, which is a separate building.
Theresa said that although The Hitching Post has been open for 40 years, it’s new to a lot of their customers. She said they often get people in who have never been in the antiques mall before.
“I get people in that say, ‘Oh, I’ve been driving by here so many times and finally decided to pull in,” Theresa said.
The new customers are impressed with the quality and variety of merchandise, she continued.
“A lot of people come in and say ‘Oh, this is what a real antique shop should be,’ ” she said. The customers comment that “it’s not a flea market, it’s more quality.”
People from as far as Texas, Virginia, New York, and Kansas have stopped in to the store, and customers of all ages find something to buy at The Hitching Post.
“Everybody’s looking for something different,” Theresa said.
The Hitching Post started in Livonia, Ken said, when John and Marlene, his parents, bought 30 carousel horses and put them in a garage.
“That got them started in the antiques business,” Ken said. John and Marlene opened up a store in Northville, then expanded to a bigger place in Northville before coming to Lenawee County.
“I moved out here first, and they saw how I like it out here and decided they wanted a place, too,” Ken said.
Originally, John and Marlene started their antiques business with The Stone House Antiques Shop in Clinton, and then moved to the current location.
In addition to selling, The Hitching Post buys antique items as well.
The Hitching Post Antiques Mall is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., every day except New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. More information can be found on their website, hitchingpostantiques.com, or by calling 517-423-8277.
