JLM Antiques owner Joe Martin stands beside an 1880s era desk that was once used by the editor-in-chief of the Chicago Evening Post.

Clif Knight

Hartselle Enquirer

One of Hartselle’s empty commercial buildings in the central business district, formerly occupied by Holladay Antiques, is now filled with colonial and William & Mary style furniture and home décor.

Joe and Jennifer Martin of Hartselle are operating the business under the name of JLM Antiques. The store opened July 10.

“We felt like New England antiques would be a good fit for Hartselle,” said Joe Martin. An Army veteran who works at Nucor in Trinity. His wife is  employed in Huntsville.

“Our goal is to grow the store in the way it was when owned by Joe and Rachel Slate,” he pointed out.

Martin said he buys most of his antiques from Vermont and other New England states and relies on an uncle who operates an antique auction for advice and assistance. “We have furniture from the 1790s to the early 1900s and nearly everything we sell has a history of its own.”

“Every few months we’ll be going back to Vermont to locate and buy antiques,” he pointed out. “Our next trip will be after Depot Days.”

“We’re pleased with our location and look forward be becoming a viable part of Hartselle’s business community,” he added.  “We’re getting a good number of people stopping by to see what we have. Most have questions about the history of the antiques that catch their eye.”

JLM Antiques is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.