If you happen to stop by The Shed in Altoona, you’ll want to walk around once, then turn back and circle around in the opposite direction. There is so much merchandise that you’re bound to see a few new things on your second lap. After that, walk the outside perimeter of the building and examine some of the larger items that couldn’t fit on the shelves. When you’ve decided what you want, rent an on-site U-Haul to transport your new heaps of old gold.

“It wasn’t in my blood to auction it; it’s buying and selling that’s in my blood. ” – Ed Bohn, owner of The Shed

The Shed is a store in Altoona that carries a huge assortment of vintage and antique items. They house space for vendors and also offer a great collection of their own items on sale, so there is an extremely eclectic quality to their building, which is, you guessed it, a massive shed. While stores of a similar sort are often only open two or three days a week, The Shed is open every day.

“People sometimes come here if they want something to do while they’re in town, and nine out of 10 times they come back again because they know we’ll be open,” said Ed Bohn, owner of The Shed. Their consistency has made the shop, which is located right along U.S. Highway 12 in Altoona, a popular stop for tons of vintage hunters.

Some frequent The Shed to check out new goods, while others come in to spend some time with Jackson, the shop’s “greeter” who also happens to be a loveable labrador. Regulars sometimes come in for an hour or so to get what Ed refers to as their “puppy fix.” In addition to puppy love, The Shed carries fine jewelry, furniture, antique and modern art, movies, and endless heaps of knick knacks all waiting for you in the labyrinth that is The Shed.

Ed opened up shop in October 2008. He was running a couple of flea markets in Altoona when, due to a change in ownership of the property, he was suddenly faced with the reality that he no longer had a place to house the markets. He was left with a boatload of stuff and a decision to make: Auction off the merchandise, or take a different route and start a new business.

“It wasn’t in my blood to auction it; it’s buying and selling that’s in my blood,” he said. That’s how The Shed was born almost nine years ago. Since then, it has grown into a large, multifaceted operation with something good for anyone who might happen to stop in.

Years of experiences in the flea market business has made Ed a guy who knows his way around an estate sale. Often times, people will sell off entire houses full of furniture and other possessions for cheap. In these situations, either people don’t know what they have, or they’re in a pinch and need to get rid of a lot of stuff in a small amount of time.

Both cases result in a great deal for Ed, and a reasonably priced assortment of stuff for customers to peruse at The Shed. They house more than 70 different vendors, so that means there is an exceptional variety of antiques, primitives, collectibles, pastry treats, and more. Half of the building is dedicated to vendors, which means that individuals can rent out the space to sell their art or merchandise, while the other half is all product that Ed has found in nooks, crannies, and estate sales throughout the Chippewa Valley and beyond.

Take an afternoon and head out to Altoona to browse The Shed’s selection any day of the week. The store hours are Monday through Thursday from 10am to 5pm, Friday and Saturday from 9am to 5pm, and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. The Shed is located on the corner of U.S. Highway 12 and Mayer Road, at 1519 Mayer Road.