BONNERS FERRY— Julie Kern was 5 years old when she first started antiquing with her grandmother, now she’s made her fascination with rare finds and knickknacks into a business with Gypsy Girl and The Rusty Trunk. 

An appraiser, Kern runs Gypsy Girl Estate Sales, which slows down in winter. Before she had her items for sale in other antique stores, but then decided to open her own store, Gypsy Girl the Rusty Trunk. In the fall of 2023, Kern teamed up with Jan Christians of Annie Orchard’s Antiques and opened the first location in Ponderay.

It didn’t take long, Kern said, for customers to ask when another store was coming. On Valentine's Day, the Bonners Ferry location was opened, The Rusty Trunk, which is an antique paradise. With 24 different vendors, there is something for everyone, whether it is antiques, upcycled furniture, plants or Christmas decorations.

The Ponderay location is at a former veterinary clinic and has nooks and crannies. In contrast, the Bonners Ferry store is wide open and accommodating to larger items, since it is in the former Carter Country building.

Each vendor receives a designated space where they can design and decorate their wares from floor to ceiling. 

“As a faith-based company, we treat our vendors as family,” Kern said, adding that many of the vendors come to design their space with their kids. 

The Rusty Trunk can take consignments or maybe buy items outright, but this is on a case-by-case basis. 

Tanner Marston, the manager and Kern’s son, said many shoppers browse and look at the unique items.

“Visitors don’t have to buy,” he said, adding that he is enjoying window shopping the many different vendor booths and finding new treasures. 

Kern said the antique shopping brings back memories, as many shoppers will stumble across a tea set or another item and it will remind them of their grandmother or a time back to their youth. 

Customers can expect to be greeted when they stop in at either location. 

On April 26, George the Antique Nomad, a prominent YouTube appraiser, will be at the Rusty Trunk to appraise items with locals in an Antique Road Show style. Anyone interested in an appraisal should contact the Rusty Trunk. There is a $10 appraisal fee. 

The appraisals are Friday, April 26 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. On Saturday, April 26, the Ponderay location will also have appraisals.

The Bonners Ferry location, 6127 Main St., is open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Ponderay location is at 875 Kootenai Cutoff Road.

    An Easter Display at the Rusty Trunk, an new antiques mall in Bonners Ferry.