Inglewood Antique Market

Jon Medley, a lifelong antique hunter and collector, took over the sprawling, packed-to-the-rafters Inglewood Antique Market in 2018.

September 18, 2020 | | Heritage

Don’t count on a quick drop-in when you pull into the Inglewood Antique Market on Highway 10 south of The Grange Sideroad. This classic late-1880s barn is packed to the rafters in a way that makes you want to scan every last trinket. Jon Medley, a lifelong antique hunter and collector, took over the business in 2018 from previous owners and curators Annette and Phil Turturici who had run it for 25 years. Jon’s collections fill about a third of the stock, and the rest comes from about 10 other dealers.

Jon Medley talks to a shopper at his large, packed-to-the-rafters heritage barn on Highway 10. Photo by James MacDonald.

Jon Medley talks to a shopper at his large, packed-to-the-rafters heritage barn on Highway 10. Photo by James MacDonald.

Owner: Jon Medley

How he started: Jon has been a dealer at Inglewood since it opened. He started his career working at a flea market on the former Reinhart Auctions location in the hamlet of Snelgrove in Caledon.

His first purchases: Jon says he’s been a collector since he was a kid – everything from hockey cards to coins. “Later I was looking for wooden pieces for my mom to paint. I went to an auction and got hooked. I loved the atmosphere and the people.” He started with bottles and art pottery. After discovering Victorian photo albums, he dove into the world of old photos and cameras.

Cameras at Inglewood Antique Market. Photo by James MacDonald.

Cameras at Inglewood Antique Market. Photo by James MacDonald.

  • Story Continues Below Advertisements
  • Beatles memorabilia at Inglewood Antique Market. Photo by James MacDonald.

    Beatles memorabilia at Inglewood Antique Market. Photo by James MacDonald.

    Cameras at Inglewood Antique Market. Photo by James MacDonald.

    Cameras at Inglewood Antique Market. Photo by James MacDonald.

    Trained in: “I’m pretty much self-taught. Auctions have been the greatest education. And going into people’s houses and dealing with estates, you come across art, silver – everything. When you buy something, handle it and try to sell it to somebody, that’s where you learn.”

    Recent find: “I have a pair of [Austrian Art Deco sculptor] Karl Hagenauer bookends that are world class, and you just never see a lot of Hagenauer stuff.”

    What he’ll never part with: “I still have my 1971 Cutlass Supreme. But I’d sell most other things now.”

    Pro tip: “People come in saying,‘You had this piece a couple of months ago, do you still have it?’ and it’s usually, ‘No, it’s gone.’ There are some things you see all the time and it doesn’t matter. But if you see something that really works for what you like, just buy it.”

    His new normal: Jon says it hasn’t been too different, adding that keeping people from handling things too much can be hard, as can enforcing social distancing and limiting the numbers of visitors. But his summer went well. “Typically June is one of the worst months of the year, but it was really good. I was actually really surprised.”

    Inglewood Antiques on Facebook

    About the Author More by James MacDonald

    James MacDonald is a freelance photographer, cinematographer and writer who divides his time between Caledon and Toronto.

    Related Stories

    A Fine Vintage

    Sep 18, 2020 | James MacDonald | Heritage

    Headwaters’ antiques and auctions experts offer an irresistible way to connect with the history – and value – that comes with well-made furniture and nostalgic collectibles.

    Maple Leafs hockey cards at Reinhart Auctions. Photo by James MacDonald.

    Reinhart Auctions

    Sep 18, 2020 | James MacDonald | Heritage

    Don Reinhart is known beyond Headwaters for his stint as the no-nonsense auctioneer on two seasons of TV’s “Storage Wars Canada”.

    Coca-Cola machine at Orangeville Flowers & Greenhouses. Photo by James MacDonald.

    Orangeville Flowers & Greenhouses

    Sep 18, 2020 | James MacDonald | Heritage

    Beyond Joanne and Martin Woudenberg’s busy floral counter are rows and rows of antique furniture, wall decor and collectibles.

    Underwood typewriter at Erin Auctions. Photo by James MacDonald.

    Erin Auctions

    Sep 18, 2020 | James MacDonald | Heritage

    Alanna Babka and Bonnie Schneider met playing in a baseball league, and have bonded over breathing life into cast-off collections.

    Wedgwood blue jasperware at The Wright Attitude Shoppe in a Shed. Photo by James MacDonald.

    The Wright Attitude Shoppe in a Shed

    Sep 18, 2020 | James MacDonald | Heritage

    At John Wright’s new Erin antiques outpost, artwork and chairs hung on pegs fill every inch of wall and English-country vignettes cover the floor.

    Leave a Comment

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    By posting a comment you agree that IN THE HILLS magazine has the legal right to publish, edit or delete all comments for use both online or in print. You also agree that you bear sole legal responsibility for your comments, and that you will hold IN THE HILLS harmless from the legal consequences of your comment, including libel, copyright infringement and any other legal claims. Any comments posted on this site are NOT the opinion of IN THE HILLS magazine. Personal attacks, offensive language and unsubstantiated allegations are not allowed. Please report inappropriate comments to vjones@inthehills.ca.