Antiques & Stuff Closing Doors After 13 Years on Downtown Main Street

The appearance of wall space is remarkable to Jack Wielenga, the co-owner of in downtown Cedar Falls.

For over a decade, every inch of the walls of his business has been covered with framed paintings and prints. From floor to ceiling, basement to second floor, the walls have long been wallpapered with scenes of flowers, mountains, proverbs and people.

Now, as he and Elaine Wielenga prepare to close the shop's doors, those paintings are coming down.

The couple is shuttering the business after over 13 years at 216 Main Street.

"We certainly have had wonderful customers over the year," Jack said. "It's just been fun to visit with people."

But the couple had an offer to buy the business they said they couldn't pass up.

"Opportunities don't come along that much for this kind of business," Elaine said. "If we didn't leave now, when we can, we might not be able to sell later, when we have to."

They encouraged customers to stop in and say goodbye before their final day on Friday. On Tuesday, everything in the store was 60 percent off, with plans for deeper sales as the week continues.

The Wielengas said they're not sure what they'll do next. They're not leaving the antiques business entirely - they also have a consignment space in Dyersville, with plans for another.

"If we wouldn't have had someone come along wanting to buy, we wouldn't get out of this store yet," Elaine said. "We have very mixed feelings about closing."