Pioneer Times photo/Gloria Austin
LOTS IN STOCK — Maxine Lovely of Maxine’s Consignment Shop sits on a pine bench, while surrounded by furniture that is ready for sale. The consignment shop is located in the basement of the Mini Music and Tack Shop on 73 Main St. in downtown Houlton. Her shop focuses largely on furniture, dishes and other housewares.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
Another business has opened in the basement of the Mini-Music and Tack Shop at 73 Main St. in Houlton.
Maxine Lovely started a consignment shop in her daughter’s store.
“When my business was located out home (Drew’s Lake Road), she helped me with the shops when I moved in town, I did not want her to be bored,” said Cheryl Lovely with a smile.
Quite perceptive of her daughter’s wit, she added, “I run yard sales about all summer. So, I decided I might as well run a permanent one.”
Maxine’s Consignment Shop has an array of items ranging from books, games to clothing, but its specialty is furniture and dishes.
“I have had Moosehead furniture, which sells exceptionally well, along with Broyhill and Ashley,” Maxine noted. “I also have some antique furniture.”
Some of the more antique furniture items are a writing desk, drop-leaf table and an oak buffet. She also has old-fashioned living room chairs, coffee stands and dressers. Her newest additions are a Broyhill armoire and an ivory Ashley buffet, along with several collectible dolls.
Her dishes range from Depression era to crystal ware, including long stem glasses, and everyday pots, pans and utensils.
“Some people may think it is clothes, but it really is not that many clothes,” Maxine explained. “I accept calls on a variety of items. I don’t do a lot with clothes. I prefer furniture and dishes.”
Prices at the shop range from 25 cents upward to $1,500. Items will be delivered free locally, with a nominal fee to cover delivery costs assessed for longer distances.
Pioneer Times photo/Gloria Austin
DISHES — Maxine’s Consignment Shop features furniture, new and vintage, as well as an array of dishes.
Now, for those who do not know Maxine, she retired from Dunn Furniture Company after 42 years. “I was in charge mostly of inventory,” she said.
Maxine worked at French’s Drug Store on the corner of Main and Court streets right out of high school before going to Dunn Furniture Company on upper Military Street. She stayed with the furniture company until she had her son, Douglas. Her sister, Eleanor also worked at Dunn Furniture Company, and decided to get done work when her son, Danny, was born.
With both ladies rearing sons, they decided to open a lunch shack on Emery’s front lawn on Drew’s Lake Road to supplement the family’s incomes.
“We made our own homemade bread and pies, potato salad and homemade onion rings,” recalled Maxine. “But, we got too busy and we had to close it. Douglas and Danny were both about 2 years old and were terrors.”
Maxine and Eleanor both found their way back to the furniture company after a fire at the store.
“I came back in 1971. That is when Dunns moved up on the North Road. I had come in to help set up the new store and stayed,” she said with a laugh.
Maxine’s Consignment Shop is stocked by estate sales and those looking for a vendor to sell their items on a 50-50 ratio.
“We have cleaned out a couple of houses for people,” Maxine explained. “We cleaned out one home from the drawers of silverware to the cupboards. Everything came. So, I have lots to choose from.”
A rarity from one of the residents was a B&A clock.
“There are only like two left in existence of that particular clock,” Cheryl said.
“It is valuable,” Maxine added. “That may be repaired and donated.”
To help keep her shop stocked, Maxine is waiting for a couple of trailer loads of antique furniture to arrive.
“When the trailers can become unearthed from the snow,” she said with a laugh.
“When I first opened up, people starting calling wanting whoopie pies and cakes. That is not going to happen,” she laughed. “This is strictly consignment.”
With the shop being downstairs, it is accessible only by stairs at this point, as Cheryl is working on fixing the elevator.
“There are some nice items at reasonable prices,” said Maxine. “I haven’t advertised much. It has been more by mouth and my daughter, Janice, has put items on her Facebook.”
“She has done really well,” said Cheryl.
“It has been good,” Maxine added. “It just seems as though it has taken off tremendously.”
This summer/fall the shop hours may change as Maxine takes time off to mow the lawns around her home and to take care and harvest her five-acre garden. She also babysits her great-granddaughter, too.
“I like the shop because it gets me out of the house and keeps me busy, especially in the wintertime,” she said.
Cheryl and Maxine invite the public to stop by for a coffee and to check out the consignment shop. The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. To reach Maxine call the Mini Music and Tack Shop at 532-4300 or visit Mini Music and Tack Store on Facebook.
