McGuireville is a little hidden gem located on the east side of Interstate 17 at exit 293. Not only is it a top antique destination on 1-17 but there are also several incredible points of interest to be seen. This area is steeped in a rich history along the beautiful lush banks of Beaver Creek. It is this riparian area that has beckoned travelers for many years.

Prior to the creation of I-17, travelers had to drive down Beaver Creek Road to arrive at destinations like Montezuma’s Well and the notorious dude ranches of Soda Springs and Rimrock Ranch that made this area so popular.

Today, thriving shops and restaurants draw visitors to this historic community. Two that you will want to visit are Jim’s Trading Post and Candy’s Creekside Cottage.

Jim’s Trading Post

When Jim’s Trading Post opened in March this year, it added a great new antique shop to Historic McGuireville—and brought a new excitement to the surrounding area. Owner Jim Andrus’s goal is to make the area a destination spot for visitors from all over.

Wanting to be known as more than a traditional antiques and collectible shop, Jim chose his business name because he loves the history of the old Arizona trading posts and wants to mirror that concept. Plus he feels a trading post is broader than an antique store, leaving him lots of future options. His plan is to rent out space in the store to dealers who would like to be part of the venture.

As a people-person, Jim enjoys meeting visitors and making sure they feel welcome. His enthusiasm is quickly apparent in the warm, friendly way he greets everyone who walks through the front gate. People’s interactions are what help make Jim’s Trading Post a fun place to work and shop.

The historic building at 2115 E. Beaver Creek Road that houses the trading post was once the home of Strawberries and Cream Antiques and long-time readers may remember this successful shop. Jim has filled the entire large yard area with all sorts of fun and interesting signage, yard art and repurposed furniture creating an eclectic mix of Old West memorabilia and vintage pieces. Jim has a fascination with old buildings and wagons and so you will find some on the property. He envisions creating a small old west town from the restored buildings.

Inside Jim’s Trading Post are more antique, vintage, western, art, “unusuals” and additional items from Jim’s own collection as well as from several dealers. Open rooms showcase collections and individual pieces. Due to increased popularity, another room is being added to accommodate more dealers.

Jim has always had an interest in antiques and what he calls “old stuff.” So, after a successful career of opening and managing private golf and country clubs in California and Scottsdale, he decided it was time to have some fun and pursue his passion plus move closer to family in Arizona. McGuireville was a good choice for Jim and the community has been overwhelming in its support of his new enterprise.

This enthusiastic owner invites The Antique Register readers to stop by Historic McGuireville and spend some time exploring the shops and area. Jim’s Trading Post is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 928-554-5526, email jimandrus@gmail.com or share in the fun at Jim’s Trading Post on Facebook.

Candy’s Creekside Cottage

Candy’s Creekside Cottage – Antiques & Collectibles is an antique store inside an antique building with quite a history! Originally built in 1932, it has always been a store and served as the general store for the Beaver Creek area until the mid 1980s. Its original owner, Midge Pigman, salvaged the building’s components from the old hospital in Humboldt and it is full of charm with many stories to tell “if only the walls could talk.” The road in front of the store used to be the main road to Stoneman and Mormon Lakes prior to the creation of interstate 17.

According to owner Candy Hammond, the building sat vacant for a few years until a good friend of hers converted it into an antique store. When Candy saw the owner of what used to be Antique Country moving out of the charming site, she put down money the next week—and the rest, as they say, is history. Candy had always wanted to own a little store and work for herself and now she has been realizing her dream for almost 8 years plus she is close to home.

Candy says she comes from a long line of collectors—what might now be called hoarders. Her paternal Grandmother worked for Salvation Army in Phoenix and would pick all the “good old stuff” that came through the door. She told Candy that you should always buy something old because it was made better, will last longer and will hold its value! Her maternal Grandpa was a coin collector, so collecting runs in her veins! She is a second generation Arizonian and her father is a well-known Arizona Historian so Arizona is her specialty. She always has Arizona-related items—everything from A-1 brewery Prints, Blakely to Arizona postcards.

When Candy is not collecting antiques, her other favorite pastime is gardening and she sells a large variety of herbs, heirloom vegetables and perennial flowers that have been proven worthy in her own garden. The garden area is always expanding with new plants and other pieces of yard art. She also carries local honey, yummy home-baked bread and has fresh vegetables in the summer months that she has grown.

Candy explains, “We are not a vendor mall, so if you want to negotiate, I am ready to make a deal. One of my favorite items to collect is cast iron and my store has the largest collection of antique and vintage cast iron skillets.”

She says, “I think what sets my Antique Store apart from others is when you walk in you are greeted by me or a member of my family—and maybe even my black cat Whitey exhibiting great customer service, people skills and always having a positive attitude.” She adds, “Whitey makes a significant contribution to the overall feel of Candy’s Creekside Cottage with his “Warm Whitey Welcome. So please make an effort to come visit; you will be glad you did!”

About her newest fellow shop-owner, Candy says, “Jim Andrus has brought new inspiration to me and together we are making McGuireville the happening place!”

Located at 2130 E. Beaver Creek Road, Candy’s Creekside Cottage is open Thursday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 602-402-9075, email: candyscreeksidecottage@yahoo.com or check out the shop’s Facebook page.

Please tell Jim and Candy that The Antique Register sent you!