Cellar Door Antiques has objects from near, distant past

Cellar Door Antiques owners Walt and Betty Wilson and son Walt Wilson Jr. have cornered the market on one of the finest selections of antiques and vintage collectibles in the area.

Walt Wilson Sr. owned and operated W.T. Wilson Construction, retiring from the business about three years ago.

About a year ago, the family decided to start the antique business using the more than 3,000- square-foot building that once housed the construction company’s offices.

“We’ve collected antiques for a while. We had the building, and it was vacant, so we started the business, and it’s grown since then. We had enough to fill this building and then some,” Wilson said.

The shop features an eclectic blend of items including antiques dating to the 1700s, reproduction pieces, and contemporary and unusual items such as a 1970s-era electric range in a color called Harvest Tone.

“I buy what I like. The age doesn’t matter to me. The men concentrate on furniture. Since they work with wood, they’re very particular,” Betty said.

She said she likes working with accessories, using a mixture of items from various periods.

The shop also offers a selection of old and new handmade primitive pieces.

“Our rooms are kind of themed. We have a room that’s country and primitives, one that’s Colonial-themed and one that’s Asian-themed,” Betty said.

She said among her favorites are punch bowls and vintage glassware. “Punch bowls are wonderful, but not many people use them anymore. I’m trying to bring them back because they’re such a great accessory,” Betty said.

She said she thought she knew a lot about antiques until she got into the business. “I found out I know very little,” she said. “But we’re learning as we go,” Walt Sr. added. He enjoys collecting and selling antique tools, old barrels, buckets, petroleum-related items and crocks.

“Eventually we’re going to expand and do what we’re going to call a man’s room,” he said.

The Wilsons said right now, the antique and collectible business is a buyer’s market.

“The selling end is real slow, but we knew that going in, and we’re OK with it,” Walt Sr. said.

Walt Jr. said he’s interested in old items. “Anything from the 1700s, whether it’s a piece of furniture, pottery or tinware. We don’t have much of it here because it’s hard to come across, and it’s expensive,” he said.

A collector or decorator who walks through the store is bound to find something they’ll fall in love with.

“This is a dowry chest. In the late 1700s, they’d have a carpenter make it and an artist would come around and hand-paint it with whatever theme the family wanted. Most of these trunks are from the Pennsylvania Dutch,” Walt Jr. said. There’s a restored antique hoosier and an antique secretary that’s in perfect condition. “That came from an estate sale, and it’s never been touched. It’s probably from the early 1900s,” Walt Sr. said.

“This is a bucket used to measure grain,” he said displaying a double-ended large and small portion bucket with weathered green paint.

A 1700s-era Pennsylvania table is made of single boards that are at least 18 inches wide. “You can’t find anything of that width today. Everything was also more delicate back then. The chairs have a lower profile and they’re smaller than anything you’ll find today because we’ve gotten bigger,” Walt Sr. said.

Resting on the table is an Old Crow Whiskey punch bowl and matching cups. “I have an original ad from 1961 advertising the punch bowl. I also have the ladle that goes with it,” Betty said. She said the punch bowl set has a book value around $300, but it’s priced at $225.

“This is a wonderful, wonderful item, and they’re very hard to find,” she said. She said one reason punch bowls have fallen out of vogue is their weight.

“They’re just so heavy. But I put a plastic liner in mine and I don’t have to clean something that’s so bulky,” she said.

The Wilsons said items are reasonably priced compared to comparable antique and collectible shops.

“Instead of saying we’ll give you 40 percent off, we’re pricing lower from the start,” Walt said. They said pricing is also based on what they paid for an item, not necessarily its book value.

“If we get a good deal, then we’ll turn around and get what we want and pass it along. We really don’t hold out on values,” Betty said.

Cellar Door Antiques shop hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. The shop is closed Monday and Tuesday.

The shop is located south of Red Mill Pond at 16587 Coastal Highway, Lewes. For additional information, phone 302-645-2216.