When Gayle Marston greets visitors to her shop, Great Stuff & Co., in Heathsville, and says “make yourself at home,” she means it. The shop, in a small three-room house on Northumberland Highway, looks very much like a quaint cottage.
“It's more work, but I like doing it,” Gayle said.
Each room contains furniture appropriate to a turn of the century home, with accessories and unique vintage items Gayle picks up from a variety of sources. She makes it to most area estate sales and can often be found browsing through thrift stores throughout the region.
“I've always liked antiques, so this is something that is pretty natural for me,” she said.
Actually, Gayle is fairly new to the antique game. Born and raised in Heathsville, Gayle, the daughter of a veterinarian, worked for years as a pharmacist. A little over a year ago, she decided it was time to pursue her dream.
“I talked to my parents about it, and as it turned out, the lease on this building they owned was coming up for renewal and the tenants were leaving, so everything worked out,” Gayle said.
The building served for years as the animal hospital operated by her father, Dr. James Hundley. She played as a child in the shed in the back yard, where she now stores odds and ends. In March 2002, she moved in and has been having fun ever since.
“I look for value that I think other people may overlook. That's part of the fun,” she said.
Gayle's personal preferences run to what she calls “primitive” antiques, and works to arrange them to accentuate the romance of country living. In addition, her shop features jewelry, watercolors, and other items produced by her daughter, Sarah, who teaches art.
“She provides a youthful eye, which enhances the overall shop,” Gayle said.
In the future, Gayle plans to extend an herb garden behind and in front of the shop, and sell much of what she grows. She also plans to offer gift baskets that contain vintage items. And if you happen to need a dozen eggs, she can take care of that right now, thanks to her Rhode Island hens.
So make it a point to stop in and see Gayle on your next trip through Heathsville. She's open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. And if you feel sitting down and making yourself comfortable, that's quite all right. In fact, it's a natural reaction.
“People walk in and say `I could live here.' That's the whole idea,” Gayle said.
