WMUR'S, NEW HAMPSHIRE CHRONICLE

Visits The New Hampshire Antique CO-OP

For those from away, New Hampshire Chronicle, is a TV show, sponsored by ABC affiliate WMUR in Manchester, NH. It's a "newsmagazine" that airs weeknights at 7:00 pm and highlights New Hampshire people, places, history, and lifestyle. Launched in 2001, it has become a very popular mainstay in local television.

Jason, awaiting WMUR personnel, inspects the front lobby.

On Wednesday, 21 November 2013, WMUR Producer Mary Paige Provost and Videographer Chris Shepherd stopped in to visit with the folks who run the NH Antique CO-OP in Milford, NH. The Hackler family is in their 30th year at this location and continually hosts interesting events to keep their business fresh. Not one to sit on their laurels, Father Sam and son Jason with a very loyal and engaged group of employees keep the place hopping.

Mary Paige Provost, started the interview with a tour, lead by Jason through the interesting "streets" that define the CO-OP. Here he demonstrates an antique, Wurlitzer Mahogany Disc Music Box, made in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1900 or so. It comes with 20 discs of music guaranteed to entertain your friends.

Here's a little closer look at the box and the 18 1/2" discs that it plays. It's in superb condition and has a deep, mellow sound.

After presenting several displays of Early American Antique furniture, Jason lead them to the glass display cases to highlight the "smalls." With more than 200 exhibiting dealers and 20,000 square feet of floor space, the CO-OP has a wide variety of antiques to interest most any collector. 

Seated in the lobby, Jason fields questions concerning antiques, business, the economy and his exhibitors. He became most animated when asked "how he became involved with antiques and the business." He recounted attending auctions, estate sales and flea markets with his parents as a small boy and being more interested in antique auction catalogs then comic books. 

Several days of filming is hard work!

Jason's dad, Sam Hackler, (seated facing us) started this business with his wife Eileen in 1983. To say that they created a "group shop" would be a vast understatement; what they've built is an extensive "marketplace" that continually flourishes and keeps pace with an ever changing antique world.

Sam Hackler behind the window, being interviewed by the Chronicle Team.

To survive and flourish in the antique world after 30 years is no small task. The Hackler family's business acumen, enthusiasm and presentation for their product is greatly apparent. If you have a passion for antiques, or think that you might and want to learn more, a visit to the NHAC will do much to foster your enthusiasm. Their inventory is constantly changing so frequent visits are not only necessary... but fun.

To see what's going on at the NHAC during this holiday season, CLICK HERE to read their 2013 Holiday e-Newsletter. And don't forget to show up for the annual open house festivities on December 7 and 8.

Thanks very much for reading and happy antiquing.

Rand