The Rusticators Emporium

Vintage Antiques in Hallowell

I grew up with weekend foraging at antique shops in next door Hallowell, once known as Maine’s antiques mecca. I remember the main street being filled with cars showcasing out-of-state license plates. These shopping excursions were my lessons into the world of collectibles, further fueled by my passion for history. I think I love antiques because each piece I collect tells a story. It doesn’t matter if these pieces have lost their luster over the years or now softly shine with a new patina that only comes with age. There is something special about a leather chair that may have belonged to a grandfather that still holds his shape, the leather supple with imperfections of wrinkles and scratches, the result of constant wear and tear, not to mention a few smoking pipe burns. Marble pastry boards which line my kitchen counters tell the story of loaves of bread being made by generations of home cooks. My vintage cookbooks, with tattered and stained pages, hold recipes passed from grandmother to mother to daughter with words of wisdom or commentary of life neatly written in the cookbook margins. This culinary literature serves as a diary of the day and lives of these women. All of my treasures reflect the patina of life. Age adds dimension. Weathering builds character. Patina tells a story. And this is why I love treasure hunting at antique shops, flea markets and tag sales, looking for those stories to incorporate into my life story. 

That is why I was excited to find The Rusticators Emporium. You know it is going to be a good shop when you find it being advertised at another vintage shop, having no connection with it. Located in Hallowell, Maine, the shop harkens back to the decades ago vibrant main street booming with antiques trade. Owned by husband and wife team, Lexi and Sam Joyall, the shop is a fun mixture of their offerings along with a few carefully chosen vendors. The name of their shop pays homage to the 19th century rusticators who mixed sophisticated pieces with Maine themed items. One of Lexi’s favorite personal decor pieces is an 1880’s portrait with a giant hole in the canvas that resides in her living room. In later years the grown up boy’s son used the repaired painting as a drum, reopening the hole. Lexi says that, “It’s forever damaged, but it’s damaged by a story.” 

My walk around the shop on a recent visit was a slow and purposeful stroll, there was so much to see. Every shelf or basket revealed a treasure from the simple to the ornate. My eye immediately caught all the Easter themed merchandise. I always associate my daughter’s April birthday with Easter rabbits and I try to find a new rabbit ornament or statue to add to her collection each year. One of my smaller purchases were a dozen vintage paper cigar bands. My hope is to use them for a new mixed media creation paying homage to my cigar-loving father. It’s the simple things, while not expensive, that can have the biggest impact. Everything tells the story. Check out this fun little shop and find your new-old stories.