GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Friday marks the beginning of firearm deer season, and for deer hunter widows—a term for hunters' partners who are "left behind" when deer season begins—it's time for an annual holiday tradition.
The annual Deer Hunters Widow Sale has been put on for over 13 years. Three antique malls in Grand Rapids—Warehouse One, Lost and Found, and Century Antiques—team up for a weekend-long sale when firearm deer season starts.
Marybeth Schutt, co-owner of Warehouse One, said shoppers can expect sales up to 75% off, along with refreshments, prizes, a permanent jewelry station and more.
"We all come inside and shop and have fun, and so we have a lot to offer people," she said. "And it's not just like your normal place to shop, it's a little bit of everything. We have old and new, and then the other two stores here have midcentury modern antiques and a wide variety of antiques and collectibles."
And if you're looking to find some unique items, this sale is for you. There will be both vintage and new clothes, jewelry, decorations, furniture, tools and more. There is even a candy store inside Warehouse One.
With this being the biggest sale of the year, Schutt said you can expect it to be busy, especially as the sale has many repeat customers.
The building the antique malls are in was built in 1800. Schutt said it spans 100,000 square feet, and some people come in just to look at the building.
"Whether you collect antiques or not, it's a very exciting and motivating thing to to kick off the holiday season," she said. "And you will find something you want. It's tools and pictures and anything you think of we have here, and our people love to shop here because they know they'll find something. And everybody should come in. It's not just for antique people. It's definitely for everyone."
The sale runs from 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
