It’s an old, familiar story. I spent a week on a delightful antiquing trip well outside my usual antiquing route, and almost bought a piece I thought a friend would like. Left it behind because I thought for sure she must have it. Wrong call. I bought something at the shop, but threw away the receipt before talking to my friend. I also - talk about stupid - disposed of the 1999 antique guide I found it listed in, because I didn’t realize that a lot of shops in it aren’t listed in the shiney new 2005 edition I bought on the way, and I can’t find it on any of the fliers I picked up along the trip. I remember enough that I suspect any locals will know instantly what I’m talking about, so I’m throwing myself on the mercy of fellow antique fiends.
It was a large multi-dealer mall along Rte 31 north of Holland, possibly Grand Haven or maybe West Olive - somewhere in that general neck of the woods. It’s on the corner of a sortof triangular intersection - you don’t just turn directly onto it from Rte 31, but it must be visible from there or I don’t think I would have stopped. I’m pretty sure I saw a sign that flea markets are held there on weekends. I recall thinking the store didn’t look like much from the outside, and although it was one of those rough hewn places full of crooked paths and full of nooks and crannies, it turned out to be much larger and nicer than one might expect from the exterior. There are two large taxidermy mounted heads, of a whitetail and a pronghorn, in the first booth ahead of you as you walk in the door. The checkout counter is quite large, and located a little to the left of the door.
Now, here’s the BIG identifier: the store hosts a large longhaired blue tortoiseshell cat named “Muffin.” There’s a box on the counter, wrapped in red paper with white hearts, labeled “Muffin’s Love Nest.” Surely someone will be able to identify the store based on Muffin’s Love Nest!
HELP!
