KC area antique shop to close after 2 decades. Merchandise is half-off. ‘It’s been fun’
There was some discussion between Bob and Sue Wiggins about how long ago they started Sentimental Journey Antiques in Independence — “was it 22 or 25 years ago?”
An article that ran in The Wall Street Journal in 2003 features a younger Sue talking about the local economy ahead of President George Bush’s reelection — “a few months” after opening the business on Independence Square.
Either way, it’s been a long time.
“It’s been fun,” Bob, now 86, told The Star on Monday while packing up boxes. “I’m too old to mess with it anymore.”
Window chalk on the outside of the store advertises its closing sale: 50% off the original price of merchandise. The spot, which is now at 1011 W. U.S. Highway 24, is closing May 1.
Bob said they’ll send the remainder of the antiques to auctions in the summer.
Sentimental Journey was a hobby-turned-business for the two, who started by collecting antique ice cream scoops.
A late 2023 article in The Examiner, an Independence-based outlet, boasted that the pair had “one of the most complete ice cream scoop collections in the United States” at the time of writing. Scoops were a sentimental item the two picked up as they traveled coast to coast across the country.
Several items in the store today come from the couple’s personal collection. A customer held up a small cast-iron bread pan and lid.
“My mother used to make bread in those,” Bob said, pointing.
The business (not to be confused with Sentimental Journey Marketplace in Olathe, a separate business) is entirely run by Bob and Sue, Bob said. Even now, in their mid-80s, they sit by the window together in their main room and chat with customers.
The space has several rooms filled floor to ceiling with pieces. Though many of their items have been cleared out, the couple still has hundreds of items — dolls, postcards, lamps, picture frames and more.
Sue added up totals of several dishes and glassware pieces on a notepad Monday as Bob wrapped them up for a customer.
When asked what Sue’s favorite part of the job was, she looked at her husband of 57 years and said, smirking, “Everything, except not getting along with him.”
Bob teased back, “That’s why I work in the clock room.”
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Between the two of them, they have six children. Bob still drives himself and his wife to the shop every day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.
Bob said the two would’ve liked to continue selling antiques, but their memory and hearing isn’t what it used to be. Sue had a major stroke a couple years ago.
What’s next for Bob and Sue? Their goals look similar to ones they had several years ago.
“I have to drive her some place everyday. She will not sit still,” Bob said. He smiled and looked over to his wife. “We’re gonna drive across the United States.”