Lion's Head One of the Last Antique Stores in Town

Eleanor McDonough remembers loading two tables in to a customer’s car in the middle of a growing snowstorm. 

“I asked if they wanted to wait until the storm passed, but they said ‘no, no we’ll take it now',” McDonough said. She has owned Lion’s Head Antiques on Main Street for the last four years. Before that, she was located on Thompson Street.

“People come in looking for Chandeliers, China, Lamps, Costume Jewelry, paintings and prints, sterling silver; not so much furniture, wine glasses. All kinds of stuff,” McDonough said.

“There aren’t many of us around. EBay has taken over,” McDonough said. “Survival is difficult, thought there are a good amount of people who like to come in and touch the items and see them in person. EBay and First Dibs are wonderful, but I prefer to see the item in person. People often come in and find an item that they did not set out to buy initially.”

According to McDonough, there were four or five antique shops Winchester alone, but in the past six to eight years, more and more shops have disappeared.

The antique business is a very whimsical endeavor. “There’s noting in here that anyone needs,” McDonough said. “People are out and about and see something that strikes their fancy.”

The shop is holding a large sale on October 15.