In the quiet town of Dunkirk, Indiana, most stories begin with a cup of coffee. But for April and Kevin, the story of their business began with a cluttered hallway and a very narrow escape from a fall.
For years, the couple had been fueled by a shared obsession: the hunt. While others saw dusty corners and crowded estate sales, they saw craftsmanship. They saw the heavy, honest weight of solid oak and the vibrant, unapologetic colors of a bygone era—a sharp contrast to the “disposable” furniture that fills modern big-box stores.
“I miss the days where Grandma’s house was covered in color,” Kevin says. “Everything now is colorless and made of cheap wood. We wanted to bring back the things built to last.”
From Trip-Wire to the Old West Lawn School
The turning point came one morning when Kevin, navigating a house that had become a literal warehouse for their passion, tripped over a pile of antiques in the hall. That stumble was the spark. They didn’t need a bigger house; they needed a stage.
He reached out to Steve Shwieterman, an acquaintance for years and the owner of the West Lawn Business Center. Known to many locals as the former West Lawn Elementary School, the building has found new life as a hub for local entrepreneurs. Steve saw the vision and offered the couple a 1,600-square-foot space at 234 West Pearl Street, providing the first two months rent-free to give the new business room to grow.
An $8,000 Indiana-Ohio Odyssey
April and Kevin didn’t just sit back and wait for customers. They hit the road. For two months, they scoured the backroads of Indiana and Ohio, hunting for the “out of the ordinary.”
They invested more than just time; they poured roughly $8,000 of their own savings into hand-picking an inventory that feels less like a store and more like a curated journey through time. Today, Hidden Treasures Antiques and Goods is a vibrant mix of:
-
True Antiques: Solid wood pieces with history in every grain.
-
Unique Thrift Finds: Budget-friendly treasures with character.
-
Artisan Lighting: Nature-inspired candle lamps and custom electric lamps, handcrafted by Kevin himself under the banner of Piercy Creations.
A Community Invite
Hidden Treasures isn’t just about selling furniture; it’s about rescuing the soul of the American home. Whether you’re looking for a lamp that doubles as a piece of art or a dresser that will outlive your grandchildren, April and Kevin have likely found it for you.
“We’ve put our hearts and our history into this space,” says the couple. “We invite you to come in, find some color, and take home a piece of quality that you just can’t find in a flat-pack box.”
Visit them today: Hidden Treasures Antiques and Goods West Lawn Business Center (The old West Lawn Elementary) 234 West Pearl Street, Dunkirk, IN Check out the custom lighting at: Piercy Creations on Facebook.
