NEW BUSINESS FEATURES UNIQUE ANTIQUES

Kathy Green and Leigh Ann Green refurbish picture frames in the workshop of their business. Furniture is stripped and brass is polished in the workshop, which is behind the showroom of their antiques store -- Through the Years.

The building is said to be over 100 years old and that, say the four women who recently opened Through the Years there, is an appropriate setting for their antiques store.

Although a storage and work area in one part of the downtown Jackson building looks its age -- rocks are mortared together to form rugged walls -- the showroom is opulent and pleasantly scented.

An "old print shop" used to be located there. The walls were covered with dark brown paneling, "and the floor was a complete disaster," said Kathy Green, co-owner of the business with Sharon Smith, Leigh Ann Green and Elsie Peetz.

In February the four began a major revamping of the area. The walls were covered with color-coordinated paint and wallpaper; new carpet was laid.

"We've been here most every day since the first of February," said Green. "It took a lot of work to get ready for the opening." The business, at 125 Rear W. Main St., was the scene of a ribbon cutting Tuesday.

Smith said the notion for the business was Green's. "It was Kathy's idea and she was looking for some helpers, and that's us."

Through the Years offers an eclectic blend of antiques -- school desks patented in 1925, porcelain dolls, picture frames and prints, collectible plates, an old church pew, Mary Gregory glassware and various furniture.

"We try to have something for everyone," said Green. "We don't want people to think everything in here is going to cost $1,000. We have items under $10."

Although none of the women claim experience in the antiques business, they say they are learning fast. And, because each has different tastes, the antiques they bring to the store are many and varied.

They attend area auctions and even traveled to Kansas City and Dallas to purchase items for the shop.

"All four of us go out in different directions," said Green. "And sometimes we beg and borrow from people to get the antiques back here ... we've even used a cattle trailer."

Some of the items are hand-made -- lamp shades, quilts, bears made of tapestry and various crochet creations.

The women do their own floral arrangements -- swags -- and refinish furniture.

Said Smith: "Sometimes we're stripping furniture and sometimes we're making florals or framing pictures."

Some of the antiques, such as glassware, date to the turn-of-the-century. There is an old wooden ice box that predates electricity.

A huge brass bed frame in the showroom glistens under the lighting. The frame was one of several found at an auction.

"And you should have seen it when we got it," said Green. "It was black ... I mean we had to clean it and clean it."

Not far from the bed frame is an elegant table laden with 12 22-karat service settings -- plates, cups, saucers and sterling silver spoons, knives and forks. The silverware is fashioned in the Frances the First pattern.

There is also a Victorian-style gift shop in the business. Greeting cards, hand creams, plate holders, potpourri and collectible plates are available.

Also, visitors to the shop may sample gourmet coffees and teas, and butters that are served on crackers.