Marty Chambers loves picking. That is, he loves picking through old barns, looking for hidden treasures. “It’s the challenge of the find,” he explains about its appeal. He never knows what to expect or what might be lurking around the next corner.
While Chambers still loves the hunt, he doesn’t have to go picking if he wants to find unique antiques nowadays. Instead, the treasures find him. Along with his wife Laurie, Chambers owns Red Barn Consignment & Antiques which means people are regularly arriving at his door to show him their new finds.
Some of those finds get purchased by Chambers himself and put on what he calls his “wall of fun.” Others get priced and set out on the sales floor for other treasure hunters to discover. For sellers and buyers alike, Red Barn Consignment & Antiques has turned into a favorite shop in Lowell.
Turning a Passion into a Business
Long before he opened Red Barn, Chambers was storing antiques year-round and selling them during the annual Christmas Through Lowell event. “I got tired of setting up big tents every year,” he says.
So when he got word that Divine Consignments was looking to close shop, it seemed like the right time to take his love of antiques in a new direction. Rather than simply lease the space, Chambers ended up buying the entire building, making him its third true owner since probably the 1890s.
“Most people, when they turn 50, they buy sports cars or cabins,” Chambers says. “I bought 217 W. Main.”
That was 2013. While Chambers had plenty of his own antiques in storage to fill the shop, consigners quickly added to the inventory. “We’re constantly growing, constantly evolving,” he says.
Among the changes was the addition of Sandi’s Cupboard, named for Chamber’s late mother. That’s where food products from Cherry Republic, Stonewall Kitchen and Schuil Coffee are sold. More food offerings are in the works too, according to Chambers.
Creating a Place Where People Want to Shop
“What do you smell?” Chambers asks. We’re standing by the register in the store, and the only smell in the air is the candle burning on the counter. “That’s right,” he says. Chambers is proud of the fact that Red Barn Consignment & Antiques doesn’t fit the stereotype of a musty or disorganized antique shop.
“I could cram more stuff in [here], but we’re handicap accessible,” he says. He wants visitors in wheelchairs to be able to easily maneuver past the displays. He’s also arranges items to help people visualize how different pieces can work together. “We’ll marry an antique with a modern piece,” Chambers says. He nods toward a young couple browsing in the store. “The younger generation understands that.”
The ambiance at Red Barn has made it a destination store, and Chambers estimates 80 percent of his business comes from outside the community. “We’ve had bakers from Italy in here,” he says. “We had a lady from Israel.” For some people, like a group of friends from the south, coming to Red Barn is an annual event.
Consigning at Red Barn
It’s not only buyers who benefit from Chamber’s commitment to providing a positive shopping experience. It’s a boon to sellers as well. “We’re on track to put 5,500-6,000 pieces out the door this year,” Chambers notes.
A long-time consigner pops into the store with a chair she thinks Chambers could sell. He looks it over and suggests an adjustment that will need to be made to improve its sales potential. “I think it’s a ball,” the woman says when asked why she likes consigning at Red Barn. “I love the old stuff.” Like Chambers, she enjoys the hunt and knows that when she finds a treasure she can’t use, a shopper at the store might benefit from it.
After years in the business, Chambers has a good eye for what to stock. “We try to accommodate and bring in what we know sells,” he says. Those interested in consigning can send an email with item photos to [email protected]. Once someone is approved to become a consigner, they sign a contract, are assigned a barcode and get a web pass that lets them monitor their inventory from their home computer.
Chambers says sellers need to trust that he will price items appropriately and fairly. And his advice for buyers? “If you see it here and you like it, I suggest you buy it,” he says “It might not be here next time.”
For more information about store inventory and hours, visit the Red Barn Consignment & Antiques Facebook page.
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