Furniture, books, clothing, jewelry, even a stuffed beaver can be found at Manette Antiques.

Manette Antiques reopened along East 11th Street Feb. 1 and owners Ruth Reese and Nanette Nichols couldn’t be happier.

“We’re doing pretty good given the economy,” Nichols said.

The old Manette Antiques closed May 2008 after nine years in business. Reese, Nichols, Nichols’ mother Myra Brochner and Nichols’ aunt Aladene Harney owned the shop, but just Reese and Nichols decided to open the new store.

“So this is really going to be the 10th year for Manette Antiques,” Reese said.

Manette Antiques is located just up the road from the old store and Reese and Nichols love their new digs because it is larger and has adequate parking for customers.

“We just love our new location,” Reese said.

Reese has been in the antiques business since the late 1970s when she and her husband owned the Keyport Mercantile. She sold antiques there and later opened and co-owned local antique shops including the Calico Cat, the Sassy Cat and the Cat’s Meow.

Nichols is fairly new to the antiques business. She first came onboard with Manette Antiques several years ago. When Manette Antiques closed last year, she kept it open under her name, Nanette’s Antiques, for nine months before deciding to open the new Manette Antiques with Reese.

“I came into the business probably six years ago, but I’ve loved antiques for about 24 years,” Nichols said. “I decided then I was going to furnish my house with antiques.”

Reese and Nichols decided to reopen Manette Antiques because the location on the corner of East 11th Street and Scott Avenue became available and they fell in love with it.

“My husband and Ruth decided that if this space ever became available we were going to go for it,” Nichols said.

Manette Antiques sells a little bit of everything including artwork, pottery and even a miniature piano.

“We’re reasonably priced. We have quality merchandise in here,” Nichols said.

“We have good things,” Reese added.

Reese said they sell Manette pioneering items and have a Manette History Club exhibit. Reese is the president of the club and she changes the exhibit each month to showcase different things about Manette’s history.

Reese said she loves antiques because of the history behind the pieces.

“Part of what I like about antiques is the history. There’s not a day that goes by where you don’t learn something about something,” she said.

Nichols said she’s always liked antiques, but she isn’t sure why they appeal to her so much.

“There’s something about them. I don’t know what it was,” Nichols said. “I’ve always liked them better than new furniture.”

Nichols said a lot of the goods at Manette Antiques come from auctions, garage and estate sales.

“My husband loves to go to auctions,” she said.

“And we buy directly from people if they come in and sell,” Reese added.

Reese and Nichols said they like having a business in Manette. Nichols grew up there and Reese was born and still lives in the small town.

“It’s just a nice community,” Nichols said.