Den of antiquity: where the past finds new purpose

By Shelley Winger

On a bend of the Redwater River, tucked among trees and rustic barns, sits a one-room

schoolhouse that’s no longer filled with students—but with stories. Den of Antiquity isn’t just an

antique shop. It’s a living patchwork of Alberta history, quirky charm, and offbeat treasures,

curated by Sophie and Rob Swiderski, a couple whose shared love of craftsmanship and design

quietly infuses every inch of the property.

Seventeen years ago, Sophie and Rob acquired the old Amelia schoolhouse, which had stood

along Highway 38 near Victoria Trail. They had it moved to their riverfront property,

where—almost like fate—it settled perfectly on an existing concrete pad. The size of the

building, along with its vintage character, helped shape what the shop would become.

Before launching their antique venture, the Swiderskis owned and operated Down to Earth

Landscaping Ltd. in Edmonton for over 30 years. Their work spanned outdoor design and

interior carpentry. “Landscaping often included interior work too,” Sophie explained. “And I’d

always had an interest in interior design. Eventually, everything started to fall into place.”

What followed was never meant to be a conventional antique store. Den of Antiquity is rooted in

the unexpected. Rather than specializing in rare or pristine collectibles, Sophie and Rob chose to

highlight the decorative, the functional, and the downright unusual pieces with a sense of

humour, history, or personality.

“We didn’t want anything too precious,” Sophie said. “Just quirky, useful, decorative items that

spark conversation.”

As interest grew, the couple expanded beyond the schoolhouse, adding barns across the property

to house furniture and larger items. Visitors are encouraged to take their time, stroll between

buildings, and even pause to visit the donkeys and horses that share the land. Many stay for a

riverside picnic or wander the grounds with friends and family.

“We really wanted it to be a place where people could slow down,” Sophie said. “To wander, to

explore, to enjoy the setting—not just shop and leave.”

Inside the barns and schoolhouse, the offerings range from the rustic to the refined. Primitive

farm furnishings, retro 1950s fabrics, granite curling rocks, split cane fishing rods, sleighs,

crocks, fine china, artwork—there’s no telling what you might find on a given day. “It’s diverse,”

Sophie said. “That’s what keeps people coming back. They know it’s never quite the same

twice.”

The couple sources many items from nearby residents who are downsizing or moving into care

homes. “We’re so lucky to have Redwater close by,” Sophie said. “People are generous with

what they pass on. And it’s lovely bumping into them at the Post Office or around town, hearing

the stories behind the pieces.”

The town itself has been essential to keeping things running smoothly. From hardware and

refinishing supplies to banking and tech support, the couple relies on Redwater businesses.

“Home Hardware has everything we could ever need for our projects,” Sophie said. “And CIBC

helps me sort out all the non-techie problems I tend to run into.”

Den of Antiquity’s roadside sign—marked by a vintage bicycle aloft—often draws in first-time

visitors who stop out of curiosity. Some come to browse, while others arrive with very specific

requests. One older gentleman once came in hoping to find a 1932 calendar with April missing.

Others, inspired by Pinterest, come hunting for unique wedding décor or pieces to transform for

personal projects.

“We love when people come in with a vision,” Sophie said. “They find something old, refinish it,

and give it new life. It becomes part of their story now.”

At its heart, Den of Antiquity is a creative space as much as it is a retail one. Sophie and Rob

have turned their shared eye for design into a destination that’s as much about experience as it is

about what’s for sale.

“It’s not about antiques, really,” Sophie said. “It’s about giving things a second life—and maybe

offering people a bit of an escape while they’re at it.”

For anyone with an appreciation for the unusual, the useful, or the beautifully imperfect, Den of

Antiquity offers more than just a place to shop. It offers the chance to slow down, wander a little,

and discover something with a story—just waiting for its next chapter.