Jack and Jill Lashbrook were truly pioneers on the east side. Before “urban settlers” became a thing, the Lashbrooks fell in love with Irvington and decided to start their antiques business on East Washington. In 1997, there were few viable businesses along the strip, and little interest in the neighborhood’s development. Jill noted that Guitar Town was open that is still in the commercial district. But the couple saw potential and invested their hearts and souls into the business, and the community.
Three and a half years later, they expanded into another space, the old bank at Audubon and East Washington St. They kept the space further east for a little while, then sold it to Armour’s Antiques. Soon, other businesses started moving in, including the Legend, then Jockamo, Snips, and Starbucks. Bernadette Dufour persuaded the Lashbrooks to carve out a space for her dream bakery, and they saw real potential for a new small business.
To better serve customers, the Lashbrooks closed the Audubon and East Washington location to concentrate on filling two floors (and the basement) at the 5501 E. Washington location. Dufour’s of Irvington took over the space and created a beautiful breakfast and lunch spot. The Antique Mall of Irvington by Jack and Jill grew as other antiques people rented booth space and word got around about the selection and service.
It seemed like overnight the commercial corridor of Irvington filled with good, stable businesses. Jack and Jilll were delighted to see the neighborhood finally on the map. “We’ve always called it the Heart of Irvington,” Jill explained. The neighborhood earned an historic designation, and soon thereafter commercial development followed neighborhood improvements.
Over the years, the Antique Mall has drawn customers from all over the area to Irvington. Businesses came and went, but Jack and Jill endured. And after all these years, the Lashbrooks have decided to close the doors and sell the building so that they can retire. The building is currently still on the market.
For past month or so, there have been significant sales to clear out all the treasures. The last sale will be be held on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Expect 90 percent off goods in the store, and a picker’s paradise for antique and collectible housewares, furniture, quilts, vintage jewelry, stained glass, art pottery, American primitives and much, much more. It will also be a chance to say goodbye to good neighbors.
Jilly noted, “Our dream was not only to have our own business in Irvington, but to see the buildings in the heart of Irvington filled with good businesses. We are amazed to see our dreams more than fulfilled. Irvington has been blessed with great restaurants, cafes, a craft beer pub, florist, antique shops, salons, vintage & resale shops, gift shops and much more. Thank you again for your continued support of us and of Irvington. We are so thankful for all the blessings we’ve received over the years from the community, especially with the building issues a couple years ago.”
