Relics making move to Pappy’s building

Relics antiques, collectibles and stuff is on the move and is heading to a familiar location on the downtown Newton square.

The business will be moving into the former Pappy’s Antique Mall on First Avenue, gaining much needed space to grow.

“We had a chance at renting it; so, kind of like our first move, we decided over the weekend and just took it,” owner Laurie Nelson said.

Relics originally opened in February 2015 following the closure of Pappy’s in December 2013. Nelson, along with her husband Jerry, opened up the shop after previously having a booth at Pappy’s and took along many of the vendors that had a home in Pappy’s.

“So far all of my vendors are going with me. Most of all them were over there when it was Pappy’s,” Nelson said. “A lot of the vendors are asking for their old spots from when they were at Pappy’s.”

Nelson and her husband have been hard at work getting the space ready for vendors again. Between cleaning the carpets, remodeling the bathrooms, rebuilding counters and general housekeeping, along with running their thriving business, the Nelsons are looking forward to being in the new space and having the move complete.

“A lot of things that we purchased that were left in there and we’re working on getting that organized,” Nelson said.

Nelson hopes to have the move complete by July 1. She said to begin, they will be utilizing the main floor but could expand to the other three levels if business dictates.

“If we have to, the second level doesn’t require a whole lot of work, and we can open that,” Nelson said.

Relic’s current location and the Extra’s expansion will both close following the move.

Nelson said she knows the Pappy’s building is well known to those in the business and she will not be afraid to use that to her advantage.

“We’ll use Relics in the old Pappy’s building. I’m not afraid to use it for advertising,” Nelson said.

Although the move will leave another building on the square vacant, having a large, very visible space occupied is exciting for those working to rejuvenate the Newton downtown.

“Hearing about Relics’ plan to move into the Pappy’s building is very good news for the Main Street District,” Newton Main Street Executive Director Andrew Bassman said. “The building has been vacant for over two years now and it is fantastic to see such a highly visible building occupied again. It is also great to see an existing retailer having success and expanding its operation.”

Nelson is currently looking to take on new vendors in the larger space. For more information about Relics contact Nelson at 641-787-0353 or relicsofnewton@windstream.net.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at
641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or
jpierson@newtondailynews.com