Our showroom was the original shop built in 1956 by Howard and Zoe Leake, John's grand-parents. Jay Leake is the fourth generation to work at this location which has continuously operated since being constructed that year.

 

Around 1966, John H. Leake, Jr (Buddy), John's father, joined the store full time eventualy adding what the Leake familiy reverantly refer to as the "cement" building referencing it's construction of cement blocks. This building became Buddy's showroom as "Pop and Nannie" continued using their original showroom until their retirement sometime later. Though each had their respective  buidings filled with their idea of the the type of antiques they were most intersted in handling, they were in no way competeing with each other and would cover for the other if one needed to be away such as on a buying trip. Eventually, Buddy added another building for storage and place to do refinishing and minor repairs to his inventory. Constructed of tin, it is still referred to as the "tin building" by five generations of family members, four of whom actually worked there. Needless to say, though John and Jay own the business today, Buddy's wife Winslow and Johns siblings all worked at the shop in muliple capacities which is a sourse of great pride for all family members.

 

In 1983 after the passing of John H. Leake, Jr (Buddy) and with the help of Pop and Nannie, third generation John took over after a career in the Gaston County School System. John phased out the buying and selling of antiques to consentrate on his love of building period reproduction furniture. His pieces have been highly sought after since.

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At the time of taking over the shop in 1983, John and wife Susan had two young boys, Jay and Phil who both "grew up" in the shop. John being a former shop teacher never let a teachable moment pass without involving "the boys." Some eighteen or so years later after graduating from App State, Jay joined his dad full time in the shop. Phil, always around if needed, is now Vice-President of the York Electric Cooperative.

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