Store opens in Watson

WATSON — After more than a decade of disuse, a former restaurant at Petries Corners has been transformed into a consignment shop filled with home and camp furnishings.

"We look for unique items," said Beverly G. Howlett, who this summer started up the Wagon Wheel shop at Number Four and Kotel roads with her husband, Peter L. "We try to keep it eclectic enough that it appeals to everybody."

The couple bought the old building — which had been operated as the Petries Corners Hotel, Applewood Too and Trapper John's, among others — from the town of Watson at a tax auction in late 2004 with the intent of ultimately using it as a residence and shop.

The Howletts, who lived near Canastota in Madison County but have owned a seasonal camp near Belfort for more than 20 years, gradually renovated the historic structure, which was built in 1870.

Then, after their youngest daughter graduated from high school a couple of years ago, the Howletts moved here and essentially lived in one room for the first four or five months until others were finished. They also established a workshop in the back of the building and refurbished the front as a rustic store, opening for business over the Fourth of July weekend.

"It's been a long haul," Mrs. Howlett said, "but well worth it."

The name of the business stems from the couple's appreciation for wagon wheel paraphernalia and the fact that they unearthed a small metal wagon wheel while replacing the building's footers, she said.

While the Howletts plan eventually to open the shop full time, it now is open only from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The telephone number is 376-7133.

"It's a tough economy," said Mrs. Howlett, the family services manager at Lewis County Opportunities Inc., New Bremen. "We didn't move up here to work day jobs, but you've got to be practical."

Mr. Howlett operates a woodworking and home renovation business from the residence.

"I fix up a lot of stuff for the shop," he said. "I want to make more. I just don't have time to do it."

About 75 percent of the store's inventory — ranging from wall hangings to BB guns — consists of "stuff we've collected over the years," Mrs. Howlett said.

The Howletts also have purchased items from 15 other people and will continue to do so, although they have gotten pickier as the small shop has filled up, she said.

While the shop doesn't carry much large furniture because of space considerations, customers can order custom-built items such as cabinets and tables.

Some passersby have assumed the Wagon Wheel is an antique store because of the items on the front porch, but that is not the case, Mrs. Howlett said. "There's as much new stuff in here as old stuff," she said.

Most of the shop's customers thus far have been residents from elsewhere — such as Rochester and Buffalo — on their way to camps at Chases Lake, Stillwater or other Adirondack Park sites, Mrs. Howlett said.

"A lot of the local people don't even know this place exists yet," she said.

Despite that, the shop has yet to see a no-sale day, and business has improved steadily over the past couple of months, Mrs. Howlett said.

"There really aren't a lot of places like this," she said. "We've gotten real positive feedback."