Crow’s Nest Antique Mall

Good mall. Found several things that were fairly priced. Enjoyed looking. Would recommend.

Ive often peered out the plane window while crossing the midwest and curiously wondered about those perfect farm squares. What’s it like down there in that seemingly ever-​expanding grid of corn and wheat? On a trip to northwestern Indiana I got to experience the glacially flattened, tornado beaten farmlands while driving for 3 hrs from Indianapolis. While there was nothing initially exciting about this trip it turned out to be one of the most relaxing and thoughtful car rides in my life. About a 100 miles into the trip alas a town!
Wabash IN. Most notable for being the first electrically lighted city in the world. You’d think it would have sprouted into a metropolis. I suppose relative to its surrounding «Children of the Corn» farmland it is. But with a population of 10k it’s more like the town in the movie footloose. In the heart of this intriguing settlement is CROW’S NEST ANTIQUE MALL. Not exactly a mall, ok nothing like a mall, it’s a store so don’t be fooled into thinking you might find a Banana Republic.
Inside it is an adventure filled with plenty of nostalgia, surprised and wonder. The store is an expedition where both hidden treasures and strange gems lie. Unlike many New England antique shops that are little more than junk other people didn’t want this place has a different look and feel. Its well organized and even furnished in some areas much like Ikea is-​couch here, table and bookshelf there and accessories everywhere– but with far more interesting things. Pick a century and decade since America’s existence and yes, they will have something notable from then. Knickknacks, furniture, coins, toys, jewelry, collectibles, just everything.
Limited to what I could squeeze into my carry-​on this became the perfect place to buy my son the customary travel back business trip gift. While he is always pleased with whatever I bring from «exotic far-​away lands», he was particularly thrilled with the little wooden box. The box is an ordinary throw-​away cigar box… except it’s from 1891. It’s in wonderful shape, has original stickers and metal hinges smoother than my doors at home. Instead of the dozen cigars it was intended to house I placed a dime and a penny, both from 1891 inside. I expect they will reside in that box for my lifetime, a memory of dear ol’pops. I pondered perhaps maybe my future grandchild will cherish??? Then I chuckled at myself with the realization perhaps maybe it will be carelessly traded for a matchbox car. Ugh!
There is no web site, i imagine most of this stuff is local as townfolk have passed. Probably I will never return. Probably no reader will ever arrive. Nonetheless my accidental experience was so memorable I wished to document.