“ People used to go to Rockerville to stroll up and down the boardwalk and get an ice cream cone . Rockerville was a bigger tourist attraction than Keystone ,” Dennis said . “ Our plan was to be a destination , where the family could come up , we could serve dinner , Dad could sit at the bar if he wanted or order a cocktail with dinner ; mom could drink wine , and go into the antique shop and wander around ; the kids could go to the soda fountain or candy shop .”
“ In the 90s , we were the place to go ,” Westly said . “ We were new , we were different , we were what everyone remembered . They remembered coming to Rockerville , walking around , getting an ice cream cone , and being in this old west town .” “ Just like stepping back in time ,” Dennis added . They sold the Gaslight in 2003 after thirteen years of running the restaurant and antique store .
Holy Terror Antiques was opened in 2005 , a joint endeavor between Westly , Dennis , and Pam , their friend from their years working at the Emporium . This time , it wasn ’ t a matter of renovations but of building the space from scratch , intentionally designing it to look exactly how they wanted it to look .
“ We did all the woodwork ,” Dennis said . “ All the woodwork was done in the crackle finish , so it looked like it had been there 100 years . The best compliment we got while we were at the Holy Terror building was when people would walk in and ask , ‘ What did this building used to be ?’”
For any devoted customers , this new location will have echoes of their past endeavors — items they ’ ve had with them since the Gaslight , and the unique horse hame railing on their front porch , which will be recognized as the stair railing from their old Holy Terror building . Westly pointed out some features on the front porch .
“ It ’ s got a 100-year-old streetlight over the steps , and barn lights . When Pam opened the Emporium , it had those barn lights , so the barn lights are kind of a nod to Pam , and it gives it character .”
Going from 6,000 square feet to 2,000 square feet has been an adjustment , and they have definitely downsized , but the same collections , the same charm , the same atmosphere is present . The same place to gather and visit , the same collection of books , and Archie the bulldog . There is truly something for everyone . “ Books have always been part of our store ,” Westly said . “ We have a lot of families in here ,” Dennis explained , “ and books help to cover all your bases , like we did in Rockerville . There ’ s always one person who is bored with antique shops , but will sit in back with the books and find a book to read .”
“ And they ’ re happy !” Westly added .
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