Strange Closets

With its multiple incarnations and boom-bust tendencies, Buchanan, Michigan serves as a microcosm for the entire country, and its interesting history, rolling hills and gorgeous downtown buildings make it a very good setting for a novel (written by Empire Falls novelist Richard Russo perhaps).  Pick a time period, any time period:

Harbor Country, Michigan’s a tough place to leave, especially on a perfect sunny September Sunday.  After spending two summer’s worth of near perfect weekends in the area, I’ve come to associate New Buffalo and the surrounding towns with stunning natural beauty, amazing antique shops and interesting people.  And frankly I enjoy the delusion, which is [...]

This one’s for all you antique lovers out there. Alan Robandt was one of the first antique dealers to invest in downtown Buchanan, and he actually relocated there to spearhead its revival.  I would advise you to drop by the next time you’re in the area, but I actually think it’s worth a special trip.  [...]

I’ll bet I know what you’re thinking.  Buchanan, Michigan?  What’s in Buchanan, Michigan?*  That sounds like a made up name. But it’s not.  It’s a real town, and it’s awesome.  I made the drive last weekend, making my way down back roads cut through vineyards and farms, taking copious notes for this report.  Keep reading [...]

Welcome to the long awaited third installment in the Strange Closets Buchanan, Michigan triology (it’s epic . . . and no ewoks, I promise).  After hearing the murmurs and reading an article in Chicago Home + Garden, I finally visited at the invitation of rural pioneer and longtime Chicago antique dealer Alan Robandt.  In a [...]

Speaking of the terrific Three Oaks, Michigan shop Ipso Facto, I thought you might be interested in seeing some of owner Brandon Nelon’s terrific new finds.  Uh, Brandon, don’t you miss living in Chicago?  You should move back . . . bring the shop of course.

ALAN ROBANDT I love this vintage mannequin at Buchanan’s new showroom Alan Robandt, because it perfectly illustrates the cycle of chic. Classical forms reinterpreted for utilitarian purposes become junk then objets d’art then antiques, in and out of fashion over and over and on and on and on (again).