Townsman, 1991-11, Page 30Jonny Kalisch, of Jonny's Antiques in
Shakespeare, stands in his room of
treasures.
grocery store, but by the time Jonny
happened upon it it had been closed
for awhile. He took it over on April
15 and was ready for business on
April 18.
In the ensuing years minor cos-
metic changes have taken place, but
these have only enhanced the history
and character of the building.
Cloistered behind the walls of
Jonny's establishment are temptations
to amaze the most worldly connois-
seur. International expeditions have
helped Jonny build a vast collection,
including treasures from the 18th and
19th century. Some of the most valu-
able have been relegated to the Grey
Room, a wing added to the original
structure. Its secrets are kept under
lock and key to be viewed only upon
request.
Jonny's attracts an elite clien-
tele, which includes people from the
world of theatre and politics. He has
sold pieces to every major museum in
Canada and to several historic houses.
The reason for Jonny's success
is due in no small part to the assur-
ance one has of the authenticity of the
collection. His associate James Bis -
back assists with the researching and
identifying of each antique, leaving no
doubt to its value.
So vast has Jonny's old-world
empire become he also owns several
other buildings where many acquisi-
tions are stored. One, situated at the
north-west corner of the main inter-
section, was a former multi-purpose
store that retailed everything from
soups and nuts to nuts and bolts. It is a
deceptively large two-storey structure
with many spacious rooms, including
a one-time chapel. Beyond that is a
luxurious room pretentiously fur-
nished with antique finds, including
an 18th century crystal chandelier. By
request, Jonny will show interested
browsers the delights within, a tour
he says, with tongue-in-cheek, that
takes them "through the chapel into
heaven."
Two houses, situated just west
of the principle business section,
Jonny has recently had renovated,
maintaining their original Victorian
style. The Print Gallery, holds an
array of historic prints, some dating
back to 1733. A prized collection is
from the Napoleonic campaign into
Egypt.
***
The second oldest business in
Shakespeare is Harry Ten Shilling,
located in the old Union Hotel. It is
believed that the hotel was construct-
ed in 1850 as a stopover for pioneers
along the Huron Tract. It was a sim-
ple frame construction with a pitched
roof. The driving shed, which was
used to stable horses and store ice is
still on the property, though only half
of its original length remains.
In 1902 the style of the structure
was changed, window tops were
rounded, the exterior faced with soft,
yellow brick, an ornate cornice added
28 TOWNSMAN/NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991
and the roof rebuilt to a near flat
design.
During prohibition the hotel
used to bootleg alcohol to a dry public
and serve "blind pigs". Since those
colourful clays, many businesses have
operated from the premises, including
a barber shop, an antique store, a
doughnut shop and an Eskimo art
gallery.
In 1976 the present owner, Mae
Constable, sold the building to
Michael and Roxanne Jervis, who
redecorated and renamed it the Harry
Ten Shilling Tea Room and Gift Shop.
The accent to the business is English
and in 1986 a new tea room was
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