Although the iconic white barn that was inspirational in naming the business is empty, it still serves as  a landmark and nostalgic beacon for White Barn Antiques & Mercantile in New Baden. 
The variety of items at White Barn Antiques & Mercantile is impressive and with the store’s cleanliness, well planned layout, homey ambiance and friendly vendors and staff, it’s a true pleasure to shop there.

Kim and Dennis Haas with their faithful sidekick and greeter, Romeo.

On the same 13 acres that White Barn Antiques & Mercantile calls home is Dennis’ business, Haashold Storage & Outdoor Living Solutions where you will find Cardinal Buildings, American Steel Carports, Patiova Outdoor furniture, pergolas, pavilions and playsets plus self-storage and RV storage options on site.

Kim and Dennis Haas: White Barn Antiques & Mercantile and Haashold Storage & Outdoor Living Solutions in New Baden

By Tara L. Simmons

When Dennis and Kim Haas announced plans to open an antique store and mercantile in New Baden, they weren’t sure what kind of response they would receive. But they had little to worry about. The location, at the busy junction of Interstate 64 and State Route 161, is heavily traveled and always bustling. In the four months it took to prepare the site for their businesses, every booth space in the store was rented, with a waiting list already started.

Notice I said businesses, plural. We will get to that shortly.

The 13 acres needed quite a bit of work before business could commence.

Dennis explained, “Six and a half acres had to be cleared to allow travelers to see what was there. It also took 751 semi truck loads of rock, 17,500 tons to be exact, to prepare the site and the lot.”

This preparation exposed the presence of a large, dignified, old-style white dairy barn. Though not in good enough condition to house the store, it is the icon of the business, White Barn Antiques & Mercantile, which opened in September of 2024.

The store that houses the antique shop and mercantile is behind the barn and had formerly been a western store, so the rustic ambiance was already in place. It is now home to over 70 vendors and talented local makers.

Kim and Dennis have always enjoyed the thrill of unique finds at auctions and sales, so an antique store was a natural and exciting fit. However, in her career as a kindergarten teacher, the only business experience Kim had was with the monthly Scholastic book order.

“I knew nothing about a daily balance sheet, spreadsheets, how to reconcile the drawer or anything like that,” she laughed.

A supportive community of friends and family helped with setting up and keeping ahead of finances and bookkeeping.

Despite having a household of antiques and vintage finds, there is always a lot to learn in the antique world. Besides the more common names and terms like uranium glass, Fenton, Hull, and various makers of china, porcelain, and crockery, there are special features of antique jars, bottles, toys, glassware, and pottery to learn about.

“Our seasoned vendors were very helpful in getting me acclimated to the antique and vintage environment, what to expect, and other area antique stores were a tremendous help in sharing information on contracts, best business practices, and that type of thing. Tonia at The Pink Elephant, Margot at The Chirping Frog, Cindy at Marion Antique Mall, there were so many business owners that welcomed White Barn with open arms and cheered us on.”

If you are into antiques, vintage items, and the like, you are fortunate to live in this area, as it is a big part of the local culture. That is one of the reasons for the annual Antique and Vintage Guide and Map every April, which you will find in this issue. While many of these businesses share similarities, each has its own uniqueness.

White Barn Antiques & Mercantile has many features that set it apart, starting with the mercantile. In addition to a wide selection of antiques, vintage and repurposed furniture, home decor, and hidden treasures, shoppers will also find gifts and decor such as tea towels, jewelry, candles, pet products, handbags, and knick-knacks. The store also carries Illinois-made olive oils, syrups, Barb’s Jams and Jellies, canned goods by Kathy’s Kitchen, locally crafted items like bird feeders, and a large assortment of potted plants.

The variety of items at White Barn Antiques & Mercantile is impressive. Combined with the store’s cleanliness, well-planned layout, homey ambiance, and friendly vendors and staff, it creates a truly enjoyable shopping experience.

White Barn is also kid friendly.

“I love getting the kids involved. Maybe help them find their first bank, a mug they love, or a thoughtful gift for someone,” Kim said. “We have some regulars that save their money in a ‘White Barn fund’ to bring in and spend while they’re here. And all kids get to pick out two free books, one for each hand.”

White Barn also offers an activity called Write the Room, a type of scavenger hunt that keeps children curious, engaged, and learning, with a treat at the end.

Another highlight is their twice-annual outdoor pickers markets. With such a large parking lot, there is plenty of space to host the event, which typically features 50 to 60 additional vendors offering a wide range of goods. Held the first Saturday in May and October, the market also includes live music, food trucks, family activities, and more.

“Litchfield Tourism was a huge help in getting our outdoor markets off the ground since their Pickers Market is so successful,” Kim explained.

And of course, White Barn is the only place to meet Romeo. Romeo is the Haas family pet and store greeter. He is a Wheaton Terrier and Poodle mix, also known as a Whoodle. Romeo loves everyone. He will greet you, follow you around, and happily seek attention until the next customer arrives.

Whether you are searching for something specific, browsing for inspiration, collecting, or simply enjoying a unique shopping experience, White Barn Antiques & Mercantile delivers.

“We are so thrilled to be here. Many friends and family have made stopping by a priority, and we’ve met such a great assortment of people. Many return with other friends and family, which is such a compliment,” Kim said.

White Barn Antiques & Mercantile is located at 11401 Route 161 in New Baden, just off Interstate 64 at Exit 27, across from Love’s Truck Stop. Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 618-566-3395 or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or Google. Vendors interested in outdoor pickers markets can email whitebarnmerc@gmail.com for details and an application.

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Now, business versus businesses.

Before White Barn opened, Dennis was already utilizing the land for his separate business, Haashold Storage and Outdoor Living Solutions. He had been selling storage containers on the side for nine years while also working as a pilot for Delta. Dennis is also a retired Marine who flew Harriers for 20 years.

He was interested in purchasing the property to expand his storage container business after retirement but needed additional revenue streams to make the investment viable. The addition of American Steel Carports, Patiova Outdoor Furniture and Playsets, and Country Lane Gazebos, Pergolas, and Pavilions helped achieve that.

“Talking Kim into opening up the antique mall and country store really added to the viability of the endeavor,” Dennis said.

The addition of portable Cardinal Buildings further strengthened the business. Several styles are available on site, with custom builds also offered.

“Just last month Cardinal came out with a new warranty for their buildings,” he added. “Their 10-year Cardinal guarantee now covers not only craftsmanship, but also acts of nature. If construction was substandard, they would make it right. But now, if your Cardinal building is damaged by wind or even blown away by a tornado, they will fix it or replace it for free, for up to 10 years. You won’t find that anywhere else.”

Haashold Storage and Outdoor Living Solutions is truly a one-stop outdoor living shop. It is located at 11401 Route 161 in New Baden, just off Interstate 64 at Exit 27, across from Love’s Truck Stop. For more information, visit haasholdstorage.com, find them on Facebook, or call or text Dennis at 618-531-2731.