BOUCKVILLE — A love of old trains, a love of crafting and a love of each other have led John and Brenda Thorna to split the space in the barn behind their home to house their individual businesses.

John, a retired Oneida postal carrier, owns Whistle Post Antiques, where he sells exclusively O scale trains like Lionel, Marx, Weaver, M.T.H./RailKing, Williams/Bachmann and other brands. He will be celebrating his 10th anniversary in business on June 28, anticipating a 10% off sale.

“I have a ball doing this - I never get bored,” John said. “I like to listen to customers’ stories; I’m like a bartender just without the drinks.”

His wife, Brenda, a nurse case manager, opened Whistle Post Creations in October 2020. Both businesses share space in the barn behind their home, right in the midst of the antiques and collectibles haven of the famed Route 20 strip from Madison to Bouckville.

Last year, John spent much of his time reorganizing his shop contents - “a never-ending process,” he said. Moving into 2023, he is looking forward to adding a very large, 50-year-in-the-making Lionel train collection to his inventory. He also plans on cutting back on attending train shows that require an overnight stay away from home - preferring to focus his time on local shows and time spent in his shop.

Brenda took over the east side of the barn when she started her Whistle Post Creations business. There, she specializes in stenciled signs and buckets, holiday decor, decoupage, kitchen, farmhouse, coffee and pet signs, coffee mugs, trivets and ornaments.

In 2022, she exhibited her wares at numerous craft shows that enhanced her business exposure and remodeled her shop in the spring. Now, she is prepping stock for a busy Easter gift-buying season. She is also planning to continue building her website, begin selling on Etsy and Marketplace, developing a show circuit and making more videos to post on her Facebook page.

She is also looking forward to her upcoming shows - her show schedule is posted on her Facebook page.

“I love doing shows - I see so many of the same people, and we all cover each other’s booths,” Brenda said of the camaraderie between the show dealers.

They are both circling some big annual Madison-Bouckville community-wide events on their calendars as well: this year’s Spring Shop Hop is March 31 through April 2, the June Show is June 2-4 and the gala Antique Week is Aug. 14-20. Then, the business on site expands considerably as they welcome antiques and collectibles dealers to set up their own items on their grounds.

Whistle Post Antiques and Whistle Post Creations are both located in the back of 6845 Route 20. Their shops are open now by appointment or by chance through March, and even in the busy season, it’s always best to call ahead and make sure they aren’t off to a show.

For more information on Brenda’s business, call 315-893-7604, email whistlepost@twcny.rr.com or visit www.whistlepostcreations.com.

For more information on John’s business, call 315-838-0144, email jthorna001@twcny.rr.com, or visit www.whistlepostantiques.com.