Today we’d like to introduce you to Glen Lundin.
Glen, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 1998, my wife, Diane, and I wanted to quit our corporate jobs in Minnesota and move to Traverse City. We wanted to convert a large building into a home, antique store and workshop. We lucked out and discovered that Bob and Loretta Baynton had already done that with a huge dairy barn starting in 1969 and had operated Devonshire Antiques in the barn. The Bayntons were ready to retire and build a new home. We bought the barn on 5.5 acres in 1998 and moved in. I started restoring antique furniture in the workshop and running Rolling Hills Antiques that specializes in antique furniture from the 1700’s and 1800’s. Diane worked for oil/gas companies until she retired in 2020. Now Diane helps me run the antique business and is the certified appraiser.
Although our store specializes in real antique furniture, we offer a very wide range of antiques and collectibles. Our daughter, Alyssa is an Interior Designer and she works with Diane to provide Mid-Century Modern in part of the store.
Our business is unique because of the charm of the barn and it is just our family (not a mall leasing space to other dealers). For that reason we have control of what inventory we have and how it is presented. Our pricing on furniture includes delivery within 7 hours of the store, using credit cards and doing layaway. The barn has now been a successful antique business for 57 years, starting in 1969, and we plan to live and run the business in the barn for many years to come.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Operating Rolling Hills Antiques has been mostly smooth because the area consists of a growing population that appreciates high quality antiques. Because the area is so attractive we have a lot of full year, half year and one week tourist customers. This makes both local buying and selling fairly easy. Another positive is that most people that come into our store are in a good mood because they are having a good time. Because we are located 2 miles west of downtown Traverse City, we get very good customers. We have no theft and have never had a bad check. We try to maintain high quality inventory that matches what our customers are looking for. This way the products sell themselves and we don’t have to be “sales people”. We have learned that when we have a couple of poor months we must not worry. If we stay full of good inventory the business will get good again soon.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My wife, Diane, and I worked for many years in industry as both engineers and managers. This helped us know how to run a business. What sets us apart in the antiques business is a combination of many things. Our attractive location and historic barn make the shopping experience pleasant and relaxing. Because we are not an antique mall, the store is not congested. Because we do the buying and restoring, we can tell the customer where we got the item, what we have done to it and what can be done to it. Our customers are amazed by the 156 year old barn and how clean it is. Our furniture prices include delivery within 7 hours drive from here, credit card use and doing layaway. Each of those that the customer does not need, reduces the price. Diane is one of the few certified appraisers in the entire area if they need that service.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
That my wife and I quit high paying corporate jobs to live where we want to live and run a small business that is not nearly as lucrative monetarily.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rollinghillsantiques.com
