A Family’s Shared Love of Antiques is Behind New Antique Store in Riner By Vickie Holt Originally from West Virginia, Mary and Jeremy Ridenour relocated to the area in order to pursue careers as Veterinary Technicians at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg. Hailing specifically from Beckley, Mary and her two sisters lived in a beautiful, historic house that their parents had restored. Meanwhile, about three hours north along I-19 and I-79, Jeremy was born and raised in Fellowsville. Jeremy’ s young life was spent on a hundred-and-twenty-acre farm that his family had worked for generations. One thing their early lives had in common was that both sets of parents loved collecting and antiques. And so it was that antique surroundings and traditions would be the backdrop against which both Mary and Jeremy would enter the world and find one another. It had been a difficult decision to move away from their families, but both felt the choice of accepting positions at the College of Veterinary Medicine had been a good one. Jeremy continues to work there full time as a supervisor, but after working ten years in the small animal intensive care unit, Mary felt it was time to take 46 www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine
her life in a new direction. The couple had adopted two sons, and though Mary greatly appreciated her experience with both the amazing animals and her supportive colleagues, she felt it was time to take a step back and focus more on her young family. To help with the new order of her life, the couple decided to fulfill a long-term goal they’d been discussing for years. Both Mary and Jeremy love antiques, and they had dreamed about opening an antique store one day. “One day,” however, has so often meant “never” in the lives of others. “If you wait for the perfect time,” says Jeremy, “it’ll never happen.” Blake Alexander Primitives, Antiques, and More opened on April 20, 2021. Located at 1917 Union Valley Road in Riner, the store’s name comes from the middle names of the Ridenours’ two sons, Fynn Alexander and Wyatt Blake. The names were chosen to honor the boys’ grandfathers. Situated in the Floyd-adjacent, Montgomery County, the modest storefront began its existence as an antique store back in the late
Fall/Winter 2021-2022
