Treasure hunt

When Dennis Held contacted me about Area 58, his new store on North Monroe Street, it was obvious he was a regular reader.

“I thought you should know about our shop, since we feature old quilts, hammered-aluminum dishes, small dinerware creamers and a stone patio with dozens of heart-shaped rocks hiding in it,” he wrote.

Since I’d written something – in one column or another – about my fondness for each of the things he listed, he had my attention. I decided to drop by.

I’d been watching with interest the progress of the building Held and wife Connie Grove moved into. What had been a shabby and very dated exterior was clean and refurbished.

New carpet, a fresh coat of paint and plenty of elbow grease made a lot of difference inside and out.

And when the interior started filling up with interesting antiques and collectibles, I made a mental note to slow down and check it out.

Held’s note reminded me to do just that.

Held, a local poet, and Grove were looking for something new. Their fondness for old things, as well as works by local artists, led them to open the store.

The name, Area 58, was Held’s booth number at the spaces he rented in the past at local antique malls.

What sets Area 58 apart from similar establishments is the focus on art. Large sculptures by Richard Schindler, landscapes by John Thamm and ceramic tiles by Tom Pickett are displayed beside midcentury tables and vintage crockery.

Colorful recycled aluminum fish sculptures by Rik Nelson, papier-mache by Nance Van Winkle and photographs by Amy Sinisterra also are available.

It’s an interesting, and eye-catching mix of old and new.

“We’ve got a big space here that is different from anything in Spokane,” Held said. “And the pieces we bring in reflect that.”