Trenary Trading, owned by Dan LaChance and managed by Tony Hirn, buys and sells unique, vintage items — coins, knives, signs, art, pottery, furniture and more.

Many people were familiar with the antique and comic book store previously in the location, Orange Cat Antiques. But the building itself is also an antique, some might say — it’s on the National Register of Historic Places, along with its neighbors on Escanaba’s old downtown strip. According to Sanborn maps, the building was constructed between 1913 and 1921 with an address of 913-915. Its ground floor was then occupied half by a dry goods store, half by a shoe store; upstairs was a dance hall.

Following eras saw the place become a furniture store — Anderson and Bonefeld Furniture and Undertaking was there for a while, according to the National Register. Other businesses that had been housed at 917 in the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s included Mata Brown Shoppe, Superior Business Machines, Just for Her Women’s Fitness, Environmental Air Control and Goodwill.

The Orange Cat business had been owned and run by Rick Smith. About a year and a half ago, LaChance said, he purchased only the building from its previous owner, Dave Moyle, while Smith continued to operate Orange Cat within for a handful of months.

While vintage clothing, kitchenware and other antiques fill Trenary Trading, in the background, a couple customers inquire about coins at the counter. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

Earlier this year, in the spring, Orange Cat closed. LaChance, who has long been a collector, purchased some of the inventory from Smith, while the remainder — along with the Orange Cat name and business — moved out.

Trenary Trading opened in May.

LaChance, who lives in Trenary, said he initially began using that particular business name to sell shipping containers, and applied it to the new operation at 917 Ludington St.

But this isn’t his first time dealing in antiques. He actually had a store in Escanaba 40 years ago — Primitive Pete’s, which sold furniture and antiques in the mid- to late-1980s.

When the country living style of furniture was popular, “it was a pretty easy business to get into, because I worked on furniture then,” LaChance said, “and it really sold really well.”

Primitive Pete’s paired LaChance’s furniture with another thing that was both in demand and something he had a passion for — “antiques were so hot … (and) I was always a collector,” he said.

LaChance recalled going to rummage sales as a child, collecting antiques from a young age.

“I remember when I was 12 years old, getting an officer’s belt buckle from the Civil War,” he said. “I was always collecting. … and I’m a pack rat, so this sort of shop works out good for me. So now I can get rid of some of my stuff.”

In the spaces cleared by the vacating of the previous tenant, LaChance’s collectibles have moved into the Ludington Street storefront. Though much of the inventory is different, vibes are similar, and the store continues to carry things that are in demand in the region and appreciated by its regular customers.

Products and materials with advertising on them are popular, and there’s no shortage of signs and posters and mirrors marked with well-known beer names, as well as paraphernalia from household brands such as Hershey and Planters and more.

Knives are a popular attraction prominently featured at the antique shop. Another big draw that brings people to the front counter at Trenary Trading is the coins.

One customer who was in to view the selection last week said he comes in regularly and has been accumulating a collection of silver coins, anticipating their value will rise.

Business at a shop of this sort fluctuates with the economy, Hirn noted, and when people are experiencing hard times, they’re more likely to come in to sell things. Trenary Trading holds a license that allows them to purchase items from people who walk in, and there is paperwork required for such sales. Obtaining a thumbprint from the seller is one part of the legal form.

Sometimes, Hirn said, people walk in with fake “valuables” — whether knowingly or not. Fortunately, having made a personal hobby of purchasing coins and artifacts deaccessioned from museums, Hirn knows multiple methods of testing authenticity of certain items and is a good man for the job.

“If I make a mistake — say if it was a gold one-ounce bar, and it’s not real — well, the price of gold right now is around $4,000, so it’s one of those things where you have to be sure,” Hirn said.

He has examples behind the counter of counterfeit gold and silver coins that did not pass various tests. Some are better fakes than others.

Upholding an honest business and good reputation is important to maintaining the community’s trust, Hirn explained. LaChance hired him to manage day-to-day operations, and he uses experience and judgement to do so.

When people come in inquiring about the value of an item they own, Hirn says he does his best to research and give them an accurate assessment and also suggestions. If he knows the item probably wouldn’t sell in the shop, he might recommend an alternative.

“When you are honest with people like that, they come back, because they know that you’re not gonna just say $5 and it’s (worth) $500,” Hirn said.

For example, Trenary Trading reportedly has a good relationship with Nyman Jewelers. Not all jewelry is suited for one store or the other, so the two regularly refer people to each other.

Interesting and unique items come in and out of the door of the antique shop, though not always sold. Recently, an old lady came in with a lovely old Prussian bowl inquiring about its value, Hirn said. He did the research, told her what it was worth, and asked if she wanted to sell it — but no, she was interested because it was a family heirloom she was baptized in.

Most visitors to Trenary Trading come in to shop rather than to sell. A customer may simply browse aimlessly or come in with a mission.

Items people hunt for and find at Trenary Trading include Pyrex dishes, products from Red Wing Stoneware and Pottery, woodenware from a company in Munising that operated from 1911 to 1955, vinyl records, uranium glass, old license plates, vintage clothing and much more.

Other things they encounter include original paintings, prints and other artworks, some taxidermy, a few fossils, books and practically countless miscellany.

At present, Trenary Trading is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. However, that is likely to change with the seasons, Hirn said.