WHEATLAND – You may find a 1930s German phonograph or perhaps a new set of Cinco de Mayo china made in Mexico. 

What you will find are one-of-a-kind treasures that have stood the test of time and are clean and on display at Blackburn’s Emporium in downtown Wheatland. The emporium, which started in the middle of COVID and while a nation was facing quarantine, opened against all odds and a year later has found a way to prosper while peddling the memories of an era gone by.

“I am asking people to come help us celebrate,” said owner Mitch Blackburn. “They can come by, eat a free lunch and get to see some of the new things we have in the shop. Just want to play some music and hang out.”

The celebration will take place on Saturday, May 8, at the southeastern corner of Ninth Street and Gilchrist Street from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., where a free lunch will last as long as the supplies hold out. There will also be giveaways and door prizes.

“I also want people to know, they will be served the beef hot dogs, not the chicken lips dogs,” Blackburn said with a laugh. “It’s a day to kind of give back to the community because we opened up during the pandemic and we’re still here, which is thanks to the people of this town. I am very blessed and I am having a lot of fun doing it too.”

The emporium boasts big plate glass windows that are always filled with fun and quirky collectibles, great for peeping and gawking that will hold different displays each month. It will one day be a gathering place in the footprints of yesteryear’s soda fountain, restoring it to its former glory, but that is still in the dream works.

The building, which was formerly leased by Stoll Taxidermy until they decided to move a few blocks to the west, is currently owned by Dan Brecht who owns The Wandering Hermit Bookstore located next door to the emporium at 875 Gilchrist Street.

“It was just a prime location,” Blackburn said. “The opportunity came around and I had to jump on it because not only is it a great location, but I want to bring things to the community.”

One of the ideas that Blackburn is putting forth is a return to a simpler time. Similar to the idea of cruise nights in Wheatland. A remembering the good old days.

“We don’t want it so crowded that you can’t move around,” Blackburn said. “Just come in and sit down and get on the WIFI, play some games, and eventually we will bring in cherry cola so you can sit down with friends, have a soda and just chit chat.”

Blackburn who has been collecting unique items for years has amassed five full storage units at Arrowhead Storage where he will eventually draw from when things begin to sell in the new shop. He also has plans to open those storage units for a garage sale atmosphere on certain advertised weekends.