Our Story
Our story begins in the 1800's when the original three buildings were constructed. Their initial use was for farm supplies & coal storage. Prior to 1906, the Young & Beech Company used the largest building for drying apples. After 1906, Martin Maher joined the company to create the Young, Beech & Maher Company. He initiated the lumber business when he imported lumber from Michigan. At this time the property was used for lumber, coal storage, dynamite, apple drying & various other activities.
In 1917, apples were sent to Germany, but were confiscated because of World War I. Payment for that shipment was finally received in 1920 after the war ended.
In 1956, Oliver Davis, an Ontario resident, bought the company & property. With the help of his son, Barry Davis, they operated the lumber company with livestock feed, coal, dynamite, fertilizer, cement & other building products. They also built homes.
In the 1970's, the Plassche Lumber Company took over operations & ran a lumber supply company on the property until 1995.
In 1997, Gerber Homes, through a major restoration & reconstruction project, established the
LW Emporium Antique & Craft Co-op, the Trackside Cafe, the Branding Iron Steakhouse & the
Gerbird Birdhouse Factory with additional plans for the future.
The covered bridge entrance to the co-op was built out of old hand-hewed beams, several of which came from Albert Gerber's home built in the early 1800's.
The "L W" in LW Emporium stands for "Lord Willing". Albert Gerber operated an antique barn in Ontario which was open on weekends. When closing for the week, he would leave a sign on the door which read: "Open Saturday, L.W." (Lord Willing)
In 2000, the Whistle Stop Antique Center opened in a restored gambrel roof barn on the grounds of the LW Emporium Village with over 3000 sq ft of antiques & vintage items.
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Since that time, the LW Emporium Village & Co-op have gone through many more changes. The Co-op has over 60 different vendors specializing in everything from antiques to vintage to Retro to current trends. The Whistle Stop Antique Center is still here, but the Birdhouse Factory is gone (retired). The Co-op also houses Upstate Books. The Feathered Nest gift shop is located on our grounds and is full of lovely items for everyone on your gift list. We also are neighbors with the mouth watering Heintzelman's BBQ Pit.
We hope that you will visit us soon to explore our unique country village. Here is a list of some of the items you may expect to see in the LW Emporium Co-op.
Antiques Pottery Folk Art Furniture
Flags Rugs Quilts Candles
Glassware Collectibles Fine China Dolls & Bears
Soaps & Lotions Primitives Signs Willow Tree Angels
Nostalgic Candy Handmades Lighting/Lamps Cottage/Farmhouse
Greeting Cards Enamelware Clothing Pewter
Made in USA Linens Jewelry Repurposed/Upcycled
Dips & Mixes Nautical Florals Books, Movies, CD's
Children's Items Potpourri & Sprays Old Village Paint Howards Wood Products
Chalk Paint Coffee & Tea Kitchen Wares Rada Products
Fiesta Ware Dixie Bell Paint Children's Holidays/Seasonal
In 1917, apples were sent to Germany, but were confiscated because of World War I. Payment for that shipment was finally received in 1920 after the war ended.
In 1956, Oliver Davis, an Ontario resident, bought the company & property. With the help of his son, Barry Davis, they operated the lumber company with livestock feed, coal, dynamite, fertilizer, cement & other building products. They also built homes.
In the 1970's, the Plassche Lumber Company took over operations & ran a lumber supply company on the property until 1995.
In 1997, Gerber Homes, through a major restoration & reconstruction project, established the
LW Emporium Antique & Craft Co-op, the Trackside Cafe, the Branding Iron Steakhouse & the
Gerbird Birdhouse Factory with additional plans for the future.
The covered bridge entrance to the co-op was built out of old hand-hewed beams, several of which came from Albert Gerber's home built in the early 1800's.
The "L W" in LW Emporium stands for "Lord Willing". Albert Gerber operated an antique barn in Ontario which was open on weekends. When closing for the week, he would leave a sign on the door which read: "Open Saturday, L.W." (Lord Willing)
In 2000, the Whistle Stop Antique Center opened in a restored gambrel roof barn on the grounds of the LW Emporium Village with over 3000 sq ft of antiques & vintage items.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since that time, the LW Emporium Village & Co-op have gone through many more changes. The Co-op has over 60 different vendors specializing in everything from antiques to vintage to Retro to current trends. The Whistle Stop Antique Center is still here, but the Birdhouse Factory is gone (retired). The Co-op also houses Upstate Books. The Feathered Nest gift shop is located on our grounds and is full of lovely items for everyone on your gift list. We also are neighbors with the mouth watering Heintzelman's BBQ Pit.
We hope that you will visit us soon to explore our unique country village. Here is a list of some of the items you may expect to see in the LW Emporium Co-op.
Antiques Pottery Folk Art Furniture
Flags Rugs Quilts Candles
Glassware Collectibles Fine China Dolls & Bears
Soaps & Lotions Primitives Signs Willow Tree Angels
Nostalgic Candy Handmades Lighting/Lamps Cottage/Farmhouse
Greeting Cards Enamelware Clothing Pewter
Made in USA Linens Jewelry Repurposed/Upcycled
Dips & Mixes Nautical Florals Books, Movies, CD's
Children's Items Potpourri & Sprays Old Village Paint Howards Wood Products
Chalk Paint Coffee & Tea Kitchen Wares Rada Products
Fiesta Ware Dixie Bell Paint Children's Holidays/Seasonal