HARRISTOWN — When John Willis noticed that a large building near their home had been sitting empty for several years, it was fitting that he would decide to turn it into an antique mall.
While he liked the idea of having a business that sold timeworn objects, he was more concerned about applying an antique method of caring for his family.
When John realized that his youngest child, Katie, was about to graduate from high school and leave home, he wanted to find a place for his wife, Jan, to use her many talents.
“She said, ‘What do I do now? I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for more than 20 years,’ ” John Willis recalled.
The couple later realized that Katie, then a server at a Forsyth restaurant, could also benefit from working in a family business.
The Willis family, which also owns Meineke Car Care Center in downtown Decatur, opened Harristown Depot Antiques on April 29.
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Katie, 19, serves as the store manager. Jan calls herself the decorator and runner. John, who splits his time between the auto shop and the antique mall, is a jack-of-all-trades.
When the Willis family members first considered buying the sprawling, century-old former train depot, they discovered it had been decaying since its former inhabitant, an Amish oak furniture store, moved out nearly five years earlier. The Willises had to battle four-legged family members who had made the building their home.
“It was rough in here,” John Willis recalled, adding that a dozen raccoons or more had moved into the attic. “They lived in here for a long time. They ate up the fiberboard ductwork, fell into the furnace and damaged that, too. I got a bunch of them out of here. They didn’t want to go.”
After two months of intensive cleanup and other labor, including adding electrical outlets and creating latticework to make vendor booths attractive, the depot was opened. The original idea of an antique mall was modified when all kinds of vendors knocked on the door, with homemade crafts, paintings and assorted collections.
One woman brought in about 100 brand-new Christmas villages she inherited. When John Willis’ mother died in January, he decided to sell the hand-knit hats and large Raggedy Ann doll she left behind.
There are plenty of antiques available, including farm tools, moonshine jugs, crocks, furniture, gas station memorabilia, clocks, knickknacks, books and records.
The depot is selling a lot of used furniture of a more recent vintage, such as a 1950s-style pool patio set and an oversized sofa/love seat with an antique appearance, but covered in Naugahyde. Everything is priced to sell.
“We’ll do whatever it takes to draw customers,” said John Willis, adding that customers signing his guest book have hailed from as far away as Canada, Montana and Texas.
“Used furniture’s taken off real good,” said Jan Willis, adding that shoppers are finding they can buy items at bargain rates. “Everyone’s looking for a deal now.”
In addition to providing deals for customers, the depot provides income opportunities for vendors. The Willises have a few slots open in the 10,000-square-foot building.
Tony Hunter, a laid-off boilermaker and Harristown resident, rented one of the first small booths at the depot, later moving up two levels to one of the largest. Hunter, who recently helped Willis and Bob Byers build a new lunch counter, said he has been making good money, while enjoying the company of others.
“I have been buying and selling since I was a kid, about 8 years old,” Hunter said. “It’s just something fun to do. I tried to find a booth in Decatur and found out they have waiting lists.”
Hunter sells “everything,” including NASCAR collectibles, comic books and resin wildlife sculptures.
For the Willis family, getting to know vendors such as Hunter and Byers has been one of the unexpected bonuses.
“I’ve made some good friends since we’ve opened up,” John Willis said.
With 22-year-old Cody Willis, a Harristown volunteer firefighter, managing the auto shop and Katie running the mall, their parents share a sense of accomplishment that they have helped their children to embark on successful careers.
Katie said she had not originally planned to work full time at the depot, but likes the hours better than at O’Charley’s. She also enjoys learning about antiques, the depot and the railroad history from vendors and customers.
“It’s good most of the time,” she said.
Jan Willis said Katie does a good job of handling a variety of duties, including setting up the vendors and handling payroll and billing.
For Jan and John Willis, who have been married for 37 years and are “best friends,” seeing their children get on their feet in the work world is part of the plan. The depot also helps fulfill another family goal.
“We try to stay together,” John Willis said. “And by the grace of God, he has allowed us to have this business for our family to work together.”
hfreeman@herald-review.com|421-6985
