I RECOGNIZE THE SMELL. Grease and oil and dirt mingled. The odor hangs heavy inside Mike Schwochert’s machine shop along State Highway 21 in Redgranite, Wisconsin.
Inside Old Time Machine Inc.
The shop smells of history and hard labor and of hours standing upon this cracked cement floor spotted with oil stains.
This place reminds me of the work my husband does as an automotive machinist, although Mike pursues a different type of machining, producing machined parts. He does drilling, boring, tapping, milling, tool and die production, welding and fabrication, and more.
The setting that drew me into the machine and antique shop scene.
It is the name of Mike’s business—Old Time Machine Inc—and the neon marker OPEN sign and the hodgepodge of furniture, glassware, gas cans and other items displayed outside the building that initially draw Randy and me here on a Friday afternoon in mid-October en route to Appleton to visit our daughter.
We backtrack, turn off the highway and skirt the backs of downtown Redgranite businesses to reach Old Time Machine because we’ve driven past it. Highway 21 is a crazy busy route through central Wisconsin, meaning it’s safer to do a turn-around rather than slam on the brakes.
Another view of Mike’s machine shop.
Inside this building, constructed in 1953, we meet Mike, the kind of guy who, just looking at him, you know will greet you with a welcoming warmth and friendliness that shows in his face, in his smile. It’s no surprise that he promises “excellence and precision in every job,” offers 24-hour emergency repair and works a second job in Appleton.
Madre’s Antiques is in the front of the building and Mike’s machine shop (that’s Mike back there working) through the doorway into the larger back space.
And you might add third. On this afternoon, Mike is also manning Madre’s Antiques, his wife Christina Tsacudakis’ shop. She took over the former office, a small area at the front of the building that now holds an array of antiques and vintage collectibles.
A Redgranite collectible is among the offerings.
I find plenty here that interests me such as vintage drinking glasses, a pheasant tray collectible my middle brother would appreciate and a gorgeous red and white enamel kitchen table.
In the white cupboard behind the table the small striped Pyrex bowl I purchased sits on the second shelf.
I need none of these, But I scoop up a small unpriced striped Pyrex mixing bowl because, well, I collect and use old bowls.
When I ask Mike the price, he admits that he sometimes gets in trouble for underselling his wife’s unmarked merchandise. I buy the bowl for $2. I expect he will be reprimanded.
The fabulous reclaimed parts bin, left, from the machine shop now holds antiques and collectibles.
It’s a charming spot, this cozy antiques store with a back shop parts cubby emptied, cleaned, repainted aqua marine and repurposed to hold merchandise. Small treasures tucked inside multi-sized cubes. Perfectly fitting for this place.
My first view of the shop, 250 W. Bannerman Ave., as we approached from the west.
Unlike many antique shops, I don’t feel overwhelmed here, but rather at home. Comfortable with the limited offerings, the lingering odors of oil and grease and grime, and the sense of small town history that prevails in this long-time machine shop, purchased in recent years by Mike.
© Copyright 2013 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Great little place you happened upon! We stopped at a couple places in Cocoa but none of them had any teapots that called to me! The one that did was in a set of dishes with 24 pieces and I didn’t want that and they didn’t want to break up the set. But…..I did find the perfect teapot at a shop that featured beach themed items and the owners were so nice. 🙂 Love the smallness of this sweet place you found.
Another teapot. Imagine that. But I know what fun it is to collect something you love. Plus, you will always connect that teapot to Thanksgiving 2013.
Exactly. And it is really pretty and one day when I have my own beach house it will stay there!!!! 🙂
And I don’t doubt that you will have your own beach house someday. Goodbye, Iowa winters.
Yep—hopefully in a couple of years……we are “shopping” areas and narrowing down where we like the most!
Great idea. Just make sure the numbers are crunched right. Wouldn’t want you having any bad dreams…
Oh lovely! I haven’t taken 21 to Appleton but when my husband and I buy our house, I’ll be sure to set up this little road trip on the way to visiting family in Door County. Thank you for sharing!
Highway 21 is our usual route to Appleton. Sometimes we have time to stop and poke around along the way, as in this trip.
Love Door County, BTW, after traveling there for the first time in October 2012. Another trip back is due given its close proximity to Appleton. Any suggestions of must-see places there?
The photo of the exterior of the shop looks like a scene you would find in a movie. I love browsing through places like this and my husband even more so. Love the kitchen table! xx
Oh, I loved that table, too, but didn’t need it. Thus I photographed it.
Both Randy and I love browsing through these types of shops, too. And this one was small enough so as not to overwhelm.
Once again, you have taken us in to that little out-of-the-way place we pass by and are the losers for it!! I so love this post and agree with the “overwhelmed” part of your feeling in some of the “mega” antique shops. Sometimes the “less is more” rule does make for a better comfort zone! Hugs………
This was such a unique shop that I knew I simply had to share the discovery with all of you.
And we/I will be better for it!!! Thank you!!! From a very snow-covered S.E. MN……
What? Snow? No snow here. Yet.
Yup. Came back from St.P…to Winona….great driving. Stopped at Fleet Farm and came out to pouring rain. By the time we got to Houston (about 5:30 pm) it was big flakes and our ridge hill road rapidly became treacherous! I hope most melts overnight as a trek back to Winona (piano stint at the hosp.) is on the agenda in the morning.
I hope conditions have improved this a.m. for the drive to Winona.
Fogged in but snow mostly gone and 36F headed higher. Yay!!! Have a great day. Looking forward to reading today’s car post!!!!!! Hugs………
Good to hear the snow vanished overnight. Fog here, too.
I love antiquing. Can’t afford much, but it sure is fun!
I hear ya. That’s why most of my collectibles and antiques come from yard/garage sales and thrift stores.
Gotta love a good thrift store.
This is actually an antiques and collectibles store.