L W Emporium Co-op
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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






lwemporium@verizon.net
1-315-524-8841
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