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After 34 years in business, Walker Metalsmiths Celtic Jewelry is expanding its footprint in the Village of Andover.
The studio/workshop at 1 Main Street will remain, but a new showroom is being prepared across the street in the former Andover Village Office building. An opening celebration is planned for Friday April 6 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“I would have loved to be able to unveil the new showroom on Saint Patrick’s Day,” said owner Steve Walker. “We completed our purchase of the property from the Village on Feb. 12. And five weeks was not enough time to complete the updates and renovations.”
All sales, from the internet as well as walk-in customers, will be served at the new location at 4 Main St. The workshop will remain where it is across the street with expanded studio space where the showroom once was. The original showroom will be closed from Monday April 2nd through Thursday April 5th for moving, and reopen on Friday April 6th for the grand opening celebration. Customers can still shop at WalkersCelticJewelry.com throughout the move.
According to the Andover News in August of 1901, the building at 4 South Main Street was built as the Burrows Bank. The bank was built with 18,000 locally produced bricks. The interior walls and ceiling were originally pressed tin. The bank included a fireproof walk-in vault, which survived a fire around 1930. The Village of Andover acquired the building in 1932.
The new premises are not only of local historical interest, but also something of a legacy for the Walker family. Barbara Walker, Steve’s mother, worked for 30 years in the Village Office. She was Deputy Clerk for 10 years before being appointed Village Clerk in 1980. When Barbara retired in June of 2000 she was the longest serving Village Clerk in Andover’s history.
The restoration of Walker’s new Showroom by Gaylord Construction includes both interior and exterior improvements. New windows and insulation will bring the building up to modern levels of energy efficiency. A period design tin ceiling and new hardwood floor will keep the turn-of-the-century charm. Energy efficient and color correct lighting will show the jewelry to the greatest advantage.
This historic building restoration is part of a renaissance that has been taking place in the Village of Andover. Last year the building immediately adjacent to Walker’s new store was beautifully remodeled and is now home to Maple City Physical Therapy and the office of Dr. Laura DiMarco.
The former Methodist Church on East Greenwood Street, built in 1875, has undergone extensive remodeling to become the new Village Office. The former hardware store on East Greenwood Street has also been revamped and is now a museum for both the Andover Historic Society and the Allegany County Historic Society. Several other Main Street buildings are also under renovation.
The April 6 opening date for the new location was chosen to take place on another Celtic holiday. Tartan Day is a celebration of Scottish heritage on April 6, the date of the Declaration of Arbroth, a document declaring Scottish independence written in 1320. Tartan refers to the plaid woolen cloth that kilts and other emblematic Scottish apparel is made of.
The Opening reception will be held at 4 Main St. from 4-7p.m. with light refreshment. The new store’s hours will remain the same Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and closed Sundays.
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Thousands of photographs were taken. Help find at least one.
Were you a tourist in London, Dublin or Paris in 1975 – 1978? Did you see a street performer playing bagpipes? Did you take his picture? Was it Steve Walker? If you can share that picture with Walker Metalsmiths you could score some sweet Celtic jewelry.
Monday-Friday 9-5
Saturday 10-3
Cathy Gretzinger
May 02, 2018
Now that I know you are in a newly renovated store I am especially glad I took off my muddy boots Saturday! No wonder the floors were so beautiful. Fun reading about your history. Looking forward to our shipment. Thanks, and God bless!