End of an era looms
ONE of Townsville’s last secondhand dealers is calling time on his occupation of 50 years.
Seppo Hautaniemi of Virgil’s Antiques says he hopes to sell much of his large collection of goods leading up to Christmas before offering the remainder to charity.
His Hyde Park property is also for sale.
“I have been in and out of the trade since 1970,” Mr Hautaniemi said.
“It’s been a lot of fun, we’ve enjoyed it, but I’m turning 75. It’s time to retire.”
Mr Hautaniemi operates from a 2300sq m property in Virgil St.
Long-time friend Beverley Frencham has worked for him for 30 years.
The old tin and timber warehouse is crammed with all manner of goods. Much of it is furniture – chairs, tables, wardrobes, beds, chests of drawers, low boys and high boys.
There are also tools, sewing machines, bikes, toys, rocking horses,
dolls, china, cutlery, clocks, old bottles, magazines and vinyl records.
Mr Hautaniemi said people’s tastes changed with the times.
Some things that may have sat in
his shop for years, like vinyl records, were back in demand.
But he conceded some of his material may be junk.
“There’s some stuff that I might consider to be junk (but) that’s referring to things that might need work,” he said.
Mr Hautaniemi has operated from Hyde Park for almost 30 years and before that had premises in Railway Estate.
He got into the trade through a relative who was a second-hand dealer.
Financially, it was “on and off”, he said.
“I have three sons,” he said. “I did not recommend any go into it. It’s good for someone with an adventurous spirit or an older person. When you are young you think you can have this nice little corner shop but corner shops don’t cover your bills.”
Mr Hautaniemi said his message to people was to come, look and make an offer.
“All we can do is say no, we don’t get upset,” he said. “Our customers are very nice people. A lot have become friends.”
The shop is open on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 9am.