Broken Spoke in Clinton IA
Come one, Come all!
By Cindy Ladage
John and Peg West have been part of the antique world for many a year, but it was just this September of 2009, that they opened their own place in Clinton, Iowa. They call it the Broken Spoke Antique Mall and they have been in business since September 1. The Wests didn’t move far from their previous location at Bentford, which was only about three blocks from their present location.
Peg shared that they have high hopes and ambitions for their new business. “We have approximately 50 dealers with plans to expand.”
Fifty dealers is a great start for a new mall. What can you expect to see if you stop by Broken Spoke Antique Mall? The question should almost be, what you won’t see because between the fifty dealers, a little of almost everything is represented. “We have vintage clothes, sports collectables, military items, primitives, floral, furniture, vintage
records, costume jewelry, marbles, coins, glass and pottery, toys, sewing items and dolls,” Peg explained.
The current location of the Broken Spoke Antique Mall is a former grocer warehouse that was purchased by Western Grocer Co. While Peg doesn’t know the age of the buildings, she says she thinks it was pre electricity and pre plumbing. One of the interesting aspects is a long curved wall that she says it that way, “…because of a railroad spur.”
Peg and John West began working at Tom & Audrey’s for two years, and then they managed the Bentford Mall for almost three before starting their own. With five plus years of experience the couple was ready to take on their own place and expand as business increases. While being prepared for business is a big plus, the true secret to running a specialty business like this may very well be the love of it, and for the Wests, they have a passion for many items that is contagious.
“We collect everything it seems,” Peg said. “My husband John collects pocket watches, my son G.I. Joes and the other son Star Wars, video games and systems.”
Peg paused and added that she informs this son that those items although collectible, “are not antiques.”
As for Peg herself, she added, “I collect cowboy/horse stuff, milk glass, flamingos, and TV lamps.”
She says what many a collector does, “It is an obsession.”
Open everyday but Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the Broken Spoke Antique Mall is located at 516 S 1st St. Clinton, IA 52532. The phone number is 563-243-2296. There are many reasons to come to this river town. You can visit Broken Spoke Mall then check out some of the other things to see and do.
According to the website for Clinton, “The city of Clinton might still be a small hamlet named New York if it were not for geographical good fortune. Platted as the town of New York in 1836 by its first settler, Joseph Bartlett, the community was one of several that clustered on the west bank of the Mississippi River. Other communities were Lyons, Ringwood, Chancy and Camanche… The fledgling settlement had little hope of growth. In 1839, it consisted of a sprinkling of cabins, two stores and a tavern. Lyons, to the north, where a ferry had been established by Elijah Buell, grew at a healthy pace. Lyons was first a mill town with grain and flour mills before being recognized for its lumber potential. Throughout the 1840’s New York changed little while communities around it continued to develop. However, in 1855, the Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska Railroad changed its plans and announced it would cross the river at Little Rock Island adjacent to Bartlett’s settlement, instead of at Lyons. The Iowa Land Company bought Bartlett’s tract and renamed it Clinton, in honor of DeWitt Clinton, governor of New York State. From that date on Clinton grew, absorbing Ringwood, Chancy and Lyons, and becoming the Clinton County seat as well”
Since the town was established, over the years the city became known as the Sawmill Capital of the world. The Mighty Mississippi proved to be perfect place for this industrial activity which created many rich individuals who built amazing homes in Clinton. There are many tourist stops such as the Curtis Mansion, an arboretum and many other things to do and see while in this historic city. Check out the website http://www.clintoniowatourism.com/5.html for upcoming events. You may even find some of the wonderful Clinton historical items at the Broken Spoke Antique Mall!
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