When Vi and Matt Klassen of rural Adams quit milking cows, they converted their barn to raising hogs. When they got out of hogs, the Klassens, ever enterprising, remodeled their barn and turned it into a beautiful building where they now sell and store antiques. They call their business Vi's Chicken House.

Vi and her husband, Matt used to farm near Grand Meadow. They have three daughters, Lillian, Valerie and Carla. When they purchased their first farm in Grand Meadow, the owner had a sale and Vi purchased a few choice antique items.

"We didn't have much money as we had just bought the farm. I got those items very reasonable and I still have them. I always liked antiques, but I never got off the farm much as we were so busy. When I did go to town, I stopped at every auction, estate sale and garage sale. I have an eye for antiques and this is how I started my collection," she explained.

The Klassens have been on their present farm since 1970. Vi's mother, Lillian Goodale did not share her daughter's enthusiasm for old things. Goodale had gotten rid of her old household items and thought Vi was crazy for filling her house with "old stuff."

"In 1994, I had back surgery and my girls said the house was getting way too full. They sent their dad out to clean out the chicken house and this is how I started selling antiques," she said.

Her three daughters share her enthusiasm for antiques and their own homes are quickly becoming full of "old stuff." All four of these women have an "eye" for old things. Vi does not have one favorite item she pursues because she likes everything that is old or unique. She has learned from selling antiques what other people like.

"Men like arrowheads, hand tools, crocks, collectable toys, and China bowls with the pitcher, that people used to have in their bedrooms for washing up. For everyone, glassware is big. Red Wing bowls, McCoy pottery and old jewelry sells," she said.

In Vi's Chicken House, customers could spend hours scouring her aisles. Some goods are large like an old wooden kitchen cupboard from the turn of the century that Vi has papers detailing it's origin, and other items are small like tin cups, jewelry and toys. People stop in from all over. Summertime is a busy time for her business and she and her husband Matt go to area towns for shows. Vi says she puts a few card tables in the car and boxes up what she thinks will sell.

"I like people to call for an appointment to make sure I'm home. I am good bargainer and will work with the customer," she said.

The phone number for Vi's Chicken House is 582-7728.