anyone know what this place is all about? its on the corner of Union and Jefferson and looks pretty incredible. I've driven past it and always wondered. It looks like the courtyard has some amazing stuff in there.
We have stopped several times at different hours. It has always been "closed."
I've talked to the owner before, Mr. Whetstone. Nice older gentleman who proclaimed that if there is a Smithsonian, why shouldn't there be a Whetstonian. I took him as a collector of everything and anything, as we spoke and as his group was removing quite a bit of items out of my construction dumpster.
He even mentioned wanting to add more stories to the current building.
I got the impression that it isn't a business - just an unusual private residence. I think people just assume that it's a store of some sort.
From what I was told years ago, he originally intended for his daughter to open up a business (sorry, I don't recall what kind) but she wasn't interested. Since then he's just continued to add oddities to it. I know that he's given people tours of it from time to time, but other than that, it's just an odd place that isn't a business
Isn't there a beauty shop on the State Street side?
It is an eclectic collection of ... stuff.
Quote from: Charles Hunter on May 05, 2009, 11:01:38 PMIsn't there a beauty shop on the State Street side? It is an eclectic collection of ... stuff.
That's probably what the business was that he had set up for his daughter.
My friend and I were exceedingly curious, so we went in and asked if we could look around. We meandered around the courtyard and Mr. Whetstone gave us a tour of his house/would-be restaurant where "he was the only customer!"
He has a VAST collection of things ranging from absolute junk (he had at least ten random gas nozzles lying around) to gorgeous antiques. He said he has been collecting since he was a young boy, and collects "old things, nice things". He told us that sometimes he comes down at three AM and just looks around in amazement at all his things. I don't know if he's a hoarder or what but if he is, he's a very artistic one.
He seemed more than willing to sell items but he is primarily an insurance salesman.
Photos?
That place is along my "secret" path home from Jags games. I have often thought it wa an antiques dealership, and have wanted to stop in for a perusal.
Now that I know it isn't a business, my curiosity is even more aroused. It would make great subject matter for a photo essay.
Does anyone watch the show American Pickers on the History Channel? I bet they'd love to have a crack at that place.
I watch it from time to time. They would probably have a field day at the Whetstonian.
I went into there one time thinking it was an antique store. I wandered ALL through the house and no one was in there. Finally the owner came around the corner of the property and informed me it was his house!!! I was mortified!
wow. that would be embarassing. I always thought it was some sort of antique shop.
At one time, it looked cool, with all the old things...but over the past couple of years, it's come to look junky. There's no style, there's no class in how it looks these days. It's a shame, because it could be something really cool.
It looks interesting. Maybe a little junky but it has it's charm.
Took some video that I haven't fully compiled yet, but I'll try and post some stills soon. I'm probably gonna take my tape recorder down there and interview him for an audio story soon too.
Quote from: blizz01 on June 13, 2010, 11:55:27 AM
Photos?
My friend and I had always wanted to do a casual photo shoot there, so one day she went up to the property owners with a basket of fruit and asked if we could meander around taking photos in exchange; to my surprise they agreed. I'll have to dust off my old external hard drive and post a few pictures.
I've been fascinated by that place for years. The owner has slowly added more and more interesting bric-a-brac. I pass it every day on the way to work. One day, I went in. The couple who own it (the Whetstones) are very friendly and showed me around; however, when I asked if I could photograph anything, Mr. Whetstone said he would prefer that I didn't. I should have taken a basket of fruit like David did!
As someone else has mentioned, the place looked better a couple of years ago, when everything was artistically and tastefully arranged. Now, it's almost too cluttered and less pretty. My understanding is that Mr. Whetstone owns rental properties and also sells insurance.
I posted about this place several years ago and the thread went dead from mystery....see, there was never anyone there.
He must reside there now, or has grown more attached to his "Legacy". Isn't there a huge Whetstone out front?...is this where the name of the building (or His) comes from? an alias or stage name? or just an Ironic antique purchase? see..there is still mystery.
The building on main must have been a drive-through bank, as the teller window is still there.