Located at 901 E. Main Street in Urbana, on the southeast corner of Main and Lynn, Second Hand Rose looks a bit like a store out of the old west. Long brick building, wide wooden porch complete with old-fashioned wood columns that appear to truly be holding up the striped awning, hand-painted storefront windows. Even the door itself gives the feeling of being in the past- it’s solid, sticks a little when you try to open it, and unlike modern store doors it opens inward (thankfully, there’s a prominent sign that helps confused shoppers understand this). Once you step inside, however, you enter a world that spans roughly one hundred years and includes both the very antique and the almost modern.
When you walk in, you’ll be welcomed warmly by Denni Hubert who, with her husband Charlie, has been in the business for over forty years. After a heartfelt hello you’ll be asked if you’ve been to the store before and, if not, you’ll get a few quick instructions. There are several aisles that you can wander, you’re welcome to open and look in any of the cases or cabinets, there’s a back room and a basement, and if you have a purse or backpack you’ll need to put them in one of the storage lockers at the front of the store. “Not because we don’t trust you, but because there’s just not enough room for both people and their bags,” explains Denni.
And really, she means it; you would never imagine by looking at it from the outside that one little store could contain so much stuff. You might almost get a little sense of vertigo due to how packed the place is, but while every shelf and corner is stuffed to the brim with everything from fine china to old toasters, everything seems to have its proper place once you wander around for a short time.
So how did Denni and Charlie get into this business? For Denni, it seemed to be destiny right from her birth. “I was born in the back room of a jewelry store,” she tells. “I’ve always liked collecting jewelry. It’s something that will be around forever, and it doesn’t take up a lot of space like furniture does. You can have hundreds of pieces of jewelry, but it will fit into just a few small boxes if you need to move it.” For Charlie, now retired from his job as a union electrician, it was the appeal of old toys and instruments- although books also seemed to work their way into his interests as well.
And their mutual interest in items from the past clearly had a strong hand in bringing them together in marriage. “We love going to auctions and estate sales,” said Denni. “Our first date was at an auction.” At the time Charlie had his own store, Old Attic Collectibles. The pair decided to fold his business into Second Hand Rose, and they opened the current store on January 3, 1986.
And what about that beautifully-fitting store name, where did it come from? Tragic circumstances, but with such a uniquely positive outlook that you can’t help but smile at the end. Denni’s earlier marriage had turned abusive, even landing her in the hospital with some serious injuries. She left the marriage, recovered from her wounds, and plunged ahead full-steam with her new life motto: “I may be second hand, but I’m still a rose.” Both she and Charlie were incredibly kind and genuine with every person they met, sharing stories ranging from childhood adventures (ask Denni about the Watermelon Fairy if you get a chance) to how they helped a police officer search for a very unique roll-top desk. Which, by the way, is one of several unique services they provide.
Below, don’t forget to open things up!
Below, Denni Hubert (in blue) helps a customer.
Below, antiques and modern technology meet: Denni and Charlie will gladly take credit payments via their mobile phones.
If you don’t see what you’re looking for in the store, which is entirely possible after just one pass (or even after several passes; I was in the store for four hours and kept finding new things in areas I had already been), just ask. Denni has an astounding memory and, provided that someone hasn’t moved the item, can tell you exactly where everything in the store is at right down to where it sits in the exact drawer or shelf. If they don’t have it in the store, they also have a large warehouse where they keep additional items. And if it’s not in either place, they’ll take your name and contact information. When they find what you’re looking for, you’ll get a call to find out what your price range is and if there’s a deal to be worked out. “We want to get things to the right person at the right time,” Denni explains.
Below, who doesn’t need a thimble collection?
Free “curb to curb” delivery (it’s your responsibility to get the items into your house) is also offered for the Champaign-Urbana area, or delivery at $1.00/mile for anywhere else. And if you buy anything over $20.00 you can have it gift-wrapped for free! Interested in hosting an antique jewelry party for your friends? You provide the place and the libations, Second Hand Rose will provide the jewelry, and when it’s all said and done you will receive a percentage of the gross sales or can have that amount donated to a charity of your choice.
Below, if you don’t need jewelry then how about a wooden fish instead?
Denni and Charlie will also purchase items from you outright (no consignment, sorry) for resale in the store… if those items fit the bill. “If it’s something that everyone else has, or that every antique dealer would buy, I’m not interested. I like the weirdo things,” Denni says with a smile. And they stick to that pretty strictly, too. While I was visiting the store a family came in with a (literal) truckload of items from a deceased family member which included some that I thought Denni and Charlie would jump on: a full-sized Voltron toy and a Robie Junior robot. Instead of any of these things, they purchased a few knick-knacks along with a small pile of old Time Life books and a box of records. While it didn’t make sense to my untrained eyes, it’s clear that the pair have been doing this for a long time and know exactly what everything is worth and what will sell the best in their store.
Below, Charlie (middle) and Denni (right) Hubert look through items a customer brought by to sell.
Below, keepin’ it weird: original chocolate flavored laxative; no knock-off brand laxatives here!
Second Hand Rose is definitely a unique experience, and one that I’d encourage you to have for yourself if stores filled to the brim with weird and unique oddities from the past (or near-present) are at all something that interests you. You’ll need to pick your day to visit carefully, however; the store is only open Friday through Sunday from Noon until 6 p.m. (nevermind the sign on the door that says 5 p.m.). It’s also only open six months of the year, as Denni and Charlie spend the other six months in Arizona both purchasing and selling antique goods out of their RV.
Below, Denni (left) and Charlie Hubert.
If you need to get in touch with them, you can call 217-722-4073 or 217-367-8793, and their email is [email protected]. They can also be found on eBay under the username “chickenlegcharlie”. Happy hunting to all who stop by!