By ANNA GILGOFF

Special to The Press

For 15 years, Farmer’s Field, 6806 Route 309, New Tripoli, has been providing a view back to the past, and to what many think were simpler times.

The shop specializes in primitives, a sharp contrast to the sleek, commercial items that line the shelves of many popular stores.

The shop is a mother/daughter venture.

“My mother and dad had been dealing with antiques for about 40 years,” Julann Billig said. “When my father passed away, my husband purchased the whole building and we decided to put an antique shop in.”

Selling antiques was not a fledgling idea.

“I had a shop at Renninger’s Market in Kutztown and Adamstown,” mom Vicky Pilarski said. “We traveled all over the country doing antique shows, in Massachusetts, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee.”

Though she loved antiques, she didn’t really specialize in primitives in those days.

“I never was into the primitives but then I bought a few pieces and I loved them so much, I changed the décor in my whole house, showcasing primitives,” Pilarski said.

When talking about antiques, the word “primitive” refers to age and production method rather than a style.

A primitive item or piece of furniture is handmade, likely wrought by someone without formal training.

Oftentimes, these items are utilitarian, such as dish ware, cooking items or tools and have a simple and well-worn appearance.

“Primitives are basically farm related items that generally come from old farms dating as far back as the 1700s,” explained Pilarski.

“Anything wooden becomes my favorite thing.”

“I think you can’t match the warmth of old wood,” her daughter added. “It’s comforting, I think, because of the history and the people behind a primitive and how they created it with no power tools and how they were kept from generation to generation.”

The shop had an open house on Thanksgiving weekend which was very well attended.

“With the open house, we had to limit the number of people who came in,” Pilarski said. “Carson Kressley stopped by.

“So did Bo Koltnow from WFMZ News. He comes in every year for his favorite candle, Christmas Tree.”

A few years ago, the shop earned a spot on 69 News which started a kind of tradition for the newsman though he’s not the only one to favor the candles.

“They’re unbelievable,” Billig said, “And they’re all hand poured into a large Mason jar so they burn for 200 hours.”

This year, the candle inventory has been affected by the pandemic.

“We tried and tried everywhere to get jars but we were really limited on what we could get,” Billig explained.

Besides the candles, a number of unique items tempt customers looking for something different.

From bunches of Sweet Annie to dried tobacco to corn husk wreathes made by a local resident, it’s as if each item has its own charm and its own story luring customers to their open house.

In a typical year, Farmer’s Field hosts three open houses: garden, fall and Christmas.

“But because of COVID we got gypped this year and we just had this one,” Billig said.

The pandemic forced Farmer’s Field to close initially, but the mother/daughter team has seen the shop rebound.

“Since we opened from the pandemic, it’s been more than busy,” Pilarski said.

“We opened up again at the end of June when we were lifted from the pandemic,” Billig said.

A variety of people make up their customers.

“We get all people who are local, out of staters, collectors, people who just enjoy decorating their homes with primitives,” Billig said.

“Most are people who just want to decorate their homes.

“So many say they like how primitives make their house feel.”

“A lot of people say the feeling is comforting and relaxing. We’ve even had customers say when they’ve had a bad day, when they see these pieces, it makes them happy.”

The mother/daughter team acquires their inventory in a variety of ways.

“We go all over shopping,” Pilarski said. “We go to other shops on our day off. I actually even have a few people who buy for us.

“It has to be a true primitive. I like furniture, dry sinks, cupboards, wooden bowls. I basically go out looking for those things.”

“Sometimes we get lucky and [people] bring things to the shop,” Billig added. “Everything here is pretty much one of a kind.”

“So many of our customers say it becomes an addiction,” Billig said. “That’s why we have been getting busier. Besides, people like the smaller shops.”

The shop is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.