The past and present converge at Pernette’s in Northport, a place where people can find vintage and modern treasures, nostalgic, old fashioned candy and snacks, and of course, various antique items and furniture.
Pernette’s, located in the former gym space adjacent to Northport Inn off Nagonaba Street, is entrepreneur Daniel Caudill’s newest business venture. Caudill said there’s been talk about the desire for an antique store in town for quite some time, so when the space became available, he jumped at the opportunity. The store sells not only some of Caudill’s and his colleagues’ antique collections accumulated over the years, but also features collaborations and work from local makers, among many other things.
While Caudill and his staff continue to transform and add to the space every day, he said the community has been more than welcoming since first opening on April 19.
“It’s been amazing and it’s exciting, people are very happy for us to be open and to be here. Northport used to have four or five antique stores and was sort of known as a destination for antique stores,” Caudill said. “When the gym left and they uncovered the floors, you could see the vision of what this space could be, and that’s how that started… It’s a great space, and with the addition of the door and the deck out front, it makes it a really inviting space.”
The Pernette’s crew turned the space around fairly fast. Caudill said renovations included adding a front door, which the crew had found in the basement and was left there for many years. In addition, they added a front deck outside, some fresh paint, new lighting, carpet, and refinished the floors.
“That was also sort of the idea, to create a space that felt curated, but also felt really comfortable so that anyone felt welcomed,” he said. “We want you to come and sit down and just hang out.”
The Pernette’s name itself is a homage to a French family with ties to northern Canada’s fur trade in the early 1800s.
“Pernette’s celebrates a time when traders navigated local waters, exchanging goods, coins, tools, keepsakes, and stories during long journeys across rugged terrain,” the Pernette’s website states, noting how Northport played a vital role in Michigan’s early days as a trade hub. “We honor that spirit of exploration and craftsmanship.”
The items people will come across as soon as they walk through the front doors do just that — “spark curiosity and inspire discovery.”
Their inventory includes everything from vintage and modern home decor/furniture, artwork and paintings, to napkins, candles, and Northport postcards. People can also find a unique selection of food items like gourmet crackers and tin fish, Caudill’s Quince ketchup and hot sauce, and even candy from France and England.
“I think our biggest goal was to make sure that we had a varied mix of things that sort of could appeal to anyone who walks in the door,” he said. “Since a lot of the people that are contributing have been collectors for years, there’s some really beautiful collectible items that are very special, but we also have some things that are a lot more accessible.”
Eventually, Caudill said they want to expand how they sell and hope to do pop-ups at different locations and events where they’ll have items from the shop for sale as well as other exclusive pieces. They’ll also be looking to do collaborations and have different vendors/local makers at the store to meet and greet with visitors.
Pernette’s is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and by appointment on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesdays. Sunday hours are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Starting June 1, the storefront will be open everyday except Mondays. For more information or to make an appointment, call 231463-6035 or visit pernettesnorthport. com.
