Days Gone By: New antique shop in Mill Hall offers unique space for shoppers, vendors alike
LAURA TARANTELLA/THE EXPRESS A variety of vendors have set up shop at Days Gone By, Clinton County’s newest antique shop in Mill Hall.
Billie Houser-Evers, owner of Days Gone By in Mill Hall, stands with a pristine condition LHHS letterman jacket for sale. LAURA TARANTELLA/THE EXPRESS
LAURA TARANTELLA/THE EXPRESS One booth, by the Vintage Wives, shows off many unique finds handpicked by local couple Tami and Bre Brennan.
LAURA TARANTELLA/THE EXPRESS The Pony Shed by Kim Moore offers primitive home decor.
LAURA TARANTELLA/THE EXPRESS With 67 vendors at Days Gone By, there’s something for everyone.
LAURA TARANTELLA/THE EXPRESS A variety of vendors have set up shop at Days Gone By, Clinton County’s newest antique shop in Mill Hall.
Billie Houser-Evers, owner of Days Gone By in Mill Hall, stands with a pristine condition LHHS letterman jacket for sale. LAURA TARANTELLA/THE EXPRESS
LAURA TARANTELLA/THE EXPRESS One booth, by the Vintage Wives, shows off many unique finds handpicked by local couple Tami and Bre Brennan.
LAURA TARANTELLA/THE EXPRESS The Pony Shed by Kim Moore offers primitive home decor.
LAURA TARANTELLA/THE EXPRESS With 67 vendors at Days Gone By, there’s something for everyone.
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MILL HALL -- What began as a longtime dream for Billie Houser-Evers has quickly become a reality with a new destination for antique lovers, collectors and small vendors in Mill Hall.
Days Gone By, a new antique vendor market at 3064 Eagle Valley Road, opened its doors to the public on Aug. 8 following a preview for vendors, friends and family on Aug. 7.
For Houser-Evers, opening Days Gone By represents the realization of a dream made possible through the support of those who have helped her bring the project together.
She expressed gratitude to her husband, Chris, as their love of collecting salt and pepper shakers has led them to this opportunity. As well as to Jerry Blanchard and Cliff White, without whom this would not be possible.
The idea for the business grew out of Houser-Evers's own interest in collecting with her husband. She then found YouTube videos of resellers and began exploring online sales herself through platforms such as eBay, Mercari and Depop before moving into her own booths at several markets in the area.
Now, Days Gone By gives not only Houser-Evers but dozens of other vendors a place to showcase their collections and products.
Before opening, vendors were given the opportunity to choose their spot and given the freedom to create a space that showcased their items, giving customers the opportunity to find a new treasure around every corner.
The store features 67 booths throughout the building, providing vendors with different sized spaces to display antiques, collectibles, handmade goods and much more. As the vendor space is at capacity, Houser-Evers shared her current waiting list for a space has roughly 30 prospective vendors.
The store is designed to be a constantly changing experience. Vendors return regularly to restock their booths, meaning shoppers may find something different each time they visit.
Vendors have also played a role in helping prepare the store, from setting up booths to getting merchandise ready for customers and helping run the registers.
Houser-Evers said creating a welcoming environment for each guest that comes in is one of her priorities.
"I want you to feel comfortable, welcomed and enjoy your time," she said.
That philosophy applies to both shoppers and vendors, with Houser-Evers hoping Days Gone By will become a place where people can spend time browsing, talking with others and discovering items that bring back memories.
The store also includes personal touches that reflect Houser-Evers's own appreciation for collecting and local history.
For Houser-Evers, the sentimental value behind antiques is part of what makes the business special. The objects found throughout the store are more than merchandise; they can represent a particular period, person or memory.
Houser-Evers is continuing to welcome shoppers and build the business with the help of the people who supported her from the beginning.
But for Houser-Evers, the business is ultimately about more than numbers.
It is about creating the place she dreamed of having -- a space where vendors can share things they love, shoppers can discover unexpected treasures and pieces of the past can find new homes.
And she is quick to recognize the people who helped make that dream possible.
From Blanchard providing the property and space, to White and her husband Chris helping her develop the project, Houser-Evers said the business is the result of a shared effort and a community of people willing to believe in her vision.
Now, with Days Gone By open to friends from all over, that vision has become something the entire Mill Hall community can experience.