Oddfellows Antiques

By Lisa Howard

Treasure Hunting? Shop Antiques!

2023 IS A BIG YEAR FOR BERKLEY: IT’S THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF BERKLEY BEING INCORPORATED AS A VILLAGE. IT’S ALSO THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ODD FELLOWS HALL, WHICH BECAME ODD FELLOWS ANTIQUES IN 2000 AFTER DON VENSEL TOOK OVER THE BUILDING.

It took a few years to renovate the building, but the current iteration is built on the cornerstones of the original hall. It still is a kind of hall – or more properly an antiques mall – with over 50 vendors selling a wide range of antique and vintage furniture, art and collectibles. “It seems like everything else in the world is going up in price except for antiques,” says Don. “And that’s despite the fact that many of these items were made with more durable, better-quality materials.” (Hint, hint: affordable gift ideas!)

Don has a long history with both Berkley and the world of antiques. He originally went to Central Michigan University to become a physical education teacher, but to earn money during college he decided to make use of the furniture-stripping skills he’d acquired when his mom had him refinish furniture that she was antiquing. When he told the owner of a used furniture store about his skill set, Don was instantly hired, and eventually, the owner let him put some of his own pieces in the shop to sell.

AFTER GETTING HIS DEGREE IN THE MIDST OF A TEACHER GLUT and moving to California, Don worked at another used furniture store. Portland came next, except that time, Don opened three of his own stores. Then his life’s road led him back to Metro Detroit, and after another stint of working at someone else’s shop, he opened Odd Fellows Antiques.

“I have a good feeling about Berkley,” Don says. “It’s well-run and main-tained and has a small-town feel that’s hard to replicate.” He expanded his Berkley businesses about a decade ago when he bought Clark’s Ice Cream next door. Although ice cream has nothing in common with antiques, Don loves being in the ice cream biz, pointing out that “You don’t see people walking away with frowns on their faces when they’re eating ice cream.” Wise words! And ice cream is an affordable treat, too.