Olsen's Antiques finds new life as Rusty Rooster with 3rd generation of family

Olsen's Antiques, the iconic Somerset County antique store located along Route 13 near Westover, has found a second life as the Rusty Rooster Antique Mall.

The furniture and antique shop was established in 1947 by Frida and Oscar Olsen. It remained in the family until 2013, when their son, Roger Olsen, sold to Doug Marshall of Allen Marshall & Auctions four years ago. 

Today the property is back in the family, under the care of Kelly Olsen Logan, granddaughter of the original owner, and her husband, Jeff Logan. 

"I never dreamed this would come back after four years," Roger said. 

Although the Rusty Rooster, like its predecessor, features antiques, the Logans have adopted a different business model and given the establishment a sleeker, less-cluttered appearance. 

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The original Olsen's was known for chairs hung from every inch of ceiling space. The indoor space was crammed full of merchandise, maintaining a varied inventory that included something for everyone, along with personalized service. 

It was always a popular place for customers to shop or just hang out, said Roger.

Now the Rusty Rooster features booths of varying sizes. Local vendors rent space where they can sell their original art, crafts, antiques, military or nautical items and modern primitives, antique toys, decoys and furniture. 

A striking 1950s-style cafe serves as a break room for exhausted customers, bored husbands or anyone who wants a quick snack, coffee or soda.

"We are looking for a more upscale business," said Jeff Logan, who previously worked as a sales manager in auto parts.

Because of the new format, the Logans don't need to invest in a large inventory to fill the space. Vendors set up their booths, stocking and decorating them, but do not need to spend time on-site to sell their items — or worry about security.

Sales at the Rusty Rooster are already brisk. Before the business was officially open, Jeff said, vendors were buying from each other. 

"We had 20 invoices several days before our official opening," said Jeff. "Some customers were walking in because they saw the doors open."

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Kelly, the youngest of Roger Olsen's three daughters, caught the antiques bug early. She recalls riding her bike from the family's home behind the shop daily after arriving home from school, so she could spend time at the store.

"My siblings laughed at me because I would always play with the kids who came into the shop," she said. "I could make friends with anyone. We would play an auction numbers game, trying to find certain lot numbers. And I loved to roll around the aisles on dollies. I was there by choice." 

When Kelly's grandparents moved to Somerset County from Chester, Pennsylvania, they purchased a 60-acre farm near Westover, next to a former flour mill.

The original antique shop was opened as a sideline, said Roger, who is now 73.

"But it wasn't long before the shop became the family's main business," he said.

After Frida and Oscar divorced in the early 1960s, the current building was constructed in 1969. Roger and his mother operated the business together until her death in 1991. 

Kelly is excited now that the business is back in her family's hands.

"It's just overwhelming seeing the reaction from the community," she said. "This is going to be a hangout for a lot of people. That's what this is all about — people, and community."

Roger Olsen is also happy the family remains associated with the business.

"This is the kind of small business Somerset County needs," said Oscar Olsen. "I'm really proud of what Kelly and Jeff are doing, and our family name is known all over the Shore. We were dealing with third- and fourth-generations of families and neighbors. It used to be a granddaughter of a customer would call us and ask us to pick out a gift for a grandparent, because she knew we would know what she liked."

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IF YOU GO

What: Grand opening of the Rusty Rooster Antique Mall

When: Saturday, Nov. 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: 31648 Curtis Chapel Road, Westover, in the former Olsen's Antiques building