For two decades, Jim Paton has amassed a treasure trove in his store, '1900s Arcola Antiques & Collectibles,' located on the town's Main Street. Paton-who worked in airport communications for the federal government-started the business as both a retirement project and as a labour of love. Since then, his stock has grown to fill four buildings in Arcola, as well as a storage unit.
“The public all want something different,” he says. “And there's a buyer out there for everything.”
“I worked in airport communications for the federal government. Most of my career was in Winnipeg, Swift Current and the North Pole-that triangle. I had a very early retirement and my wife (Carol) said that I wasn't going to hang around the house,” he says, smiling. “I've been interested in this stuff since day one, so when I retired, that's when I really got things going.”
“Born and raised” in Gravelbourg, Paton says: “My first piece was given to me by a babysitter when I was four- or five-years-old. She gave me a case her husband carried all over Europe when he served in the Second World War. I still have it, but I'm going to see if her grandchildren want it.”
“Throughout my career, my wife and I moved a lot and especially when we moved up north, we didn't have a lot of excess stuff. But I started seriously collecting in Winnipeg in 1980. I was more or less thinking of starting a private museum, but once I started collecting, I found I had too many duplicates and too much stuff.”
“So when we moved to Arcola in 1995, I opened this place up,” he says. “This is a hobby. I'm usually always nearby if the door's not open, so I encourage people to call me and I'll open up for them. I'll buy, sell or trade.”
Paton's store is made of up a series of themed rooms-the kitchen room, the workshop and others-with objects that date from the 1800s onward.
“You never know what I might have in here,” he says. “I was at an auction once and a lady said to me; 'You'll buy anything-from earrings to horseshoes.' And I guess that's true.”
“If you're looking for something in particular, I'll do my best to help someone find it. One guy was looking for a Mah Jong set-the Chinese tile game-and he wanted an old one. I got one made of ivory and bamboo and we agreed on a price. He was surprised at the price I asked, thinking it might be low. But as long as I get more than I pay for something, then I'm happy.”
“It was a fair deal and that's fine with me.”
On addition to auctions, Paton attends sales and flea markets-and two of his favourites are in Manitoba.
“There's a flea market in May in Wawanesa, Manitoba and a huge one in Boissevain, in August. And there are also garage sales-they're the cheapest,” laughs Paton.
“I've had some customers surprised at the amount of stuff here when they stumble across me,” says Paton. “I had one customer who was working temporarily in Estevan for the railroad and his hotel recommended that he come and see me. And he walked away with a bunch of railroad memorobilia that I had.”
“Many people that stop by often stay for three or four hours,” he adds. “And I'd advise collectors to buy what you like and buy the best you can (afford). Most collectors probably end up with six of something-especially when they first start-but one or two items in pristine condition are better than six that aren't.”
“But I know how that goes, because I've done it myself,” says Paton. “I've gone through phases with collecting. Because of my career in communications, I collected old radios for a while-basically, anything that would make a sound.”
“Now, I personally like collecting First Nations stuff.”
With everything from oxen shoes to ornate antique lamps (“probably the most expensive items in the store right now”), in stock, Paton possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of the vast array of items he has displayed and stored. Much of his expertise was garnered before the Google era and he says,“The old Eaton's catalogues are still a great resource for identifying and pricing things.”
“Pinterest has been good for me,” he adds. “A lot of the ladies come in for stuff for their projects... But you can't be knowledgeable about everything; it's just not possible.”
“I can often learn as much from people who come in as they learn from me,” says Paton.
“I don't make any money at this, but it pays its own way and that's good enough for me.”
“Every day for me is a good day,” says Paton. “I enjoy being around the stuff (in the store) whether it sells or not. I enjoy talking to people and I'll gladly visit with anybody whether they buy anything or not.”
“I have absolutely no regrets.”
To contact Jim Paton, call (306)-577-3358. 1900s Arcola Antiques & Collectibles is open from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. most days and is located on Main Street, Arcola.
