Do you like antiques? Are antique items harder to find now in 2022? Do you struggle to find antique items that best fit you or someone you have in mind?

Well, that is because antique items are hard to find now. So, let me introduce you to this new place opening called Big Daddy’s Drawers. Big Daddy’s Drawers is located on 115 South Main Street Palestine, IL. It is owned by a married couple by the name of Rick and Angela Kelsheimer.

You probably know Rick Kelsheimer as the 62-year-old author from Robinson, IL. He is the author of The Dark Slab, South Union, The Hanging of Betsey Reed, A Reluctant Hero, The Adventures of Wabash Jake, Paradise Lanes, Wa-Ba-Shik-Ki, and The Lost Slab. You also probably know his wife Angela Kelsheimer as the 52-year-old singer from Marshall, IL. She also writes articles and is an artist who makes jewelry to sell to others around our community. The question is how do these two people run an antique shop and why do they do it? 

Well, the response to that is that Rick and Angela decided to make a shop as a symbol of their love to give to our community. After losing their old business at the Robinson bowling alley, even though they had very little time to think of what they were going to do for their new business, they decided to make the old bank into an antique shop where you walk in and immediately feel welcomed in. Angela did not think twice about giving me a tour around the bank which is also their house. That is pretty interesting if you think about it, you would assume it would be a small business but actually it is 4200 square feet. 

When I first walked in, I did think with having that much room there would be a lot of employees and help, but actually it is just Angela, Rick, and Angela’s mother that all work there. 

Why did they come to Palestine? Well, that is because they are originally from around here and they love the history within Palestine and antiques. That brings me to my next point, to be able to call something antique it has to be over 100 years old. 

They originally fell in love in Palestine and Rick and Angela have been together for 15 years. They bought the bank on March 1, 2021, but opened on September 1st, 2021, and worked out a deal costing them over several thousand dollars. Their hours are very strange but if you are interested give them a call at 618-553-6046. Rick also does classes on writing at LTC for $45.00 on Thursday nights from 6 p.m. through 8 p.m. in April. 

Another way you can contact them is through Facebook live on Rock Tock Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m.  

Fun fact, the reason why they call their business Big Daddy’s Drawers is because she used to call her husband Big Daddy.