Barnes Yesterday is owned by Dale and Wilda Barnes. Both grew up on farms in rural Ohio County. There they spent each day using the same items they enjoy selling from their antiques and gift store.

Barnes Yesterday was born several years ago in the fall of 1984 when the little coal mining town of Beaver Dam was hit by a reduction of workforce due to changes at the Peabody Coal Company. Like many others this impacted the Barnes Family up close and personal. With one child in college and another one soon to be, Dale and Wilda decided antiques would be the start to their next chapter in life. Over the years, the business has evolved. First working from their home, the two would buy antique items through the week to sale at the Greenville Flea Market. Later, they rented booth space at local antique malls and set-up at larger Flea Markets in Nashville and Louisville. This next lead to a little store in the family’s garage that grew to a full time retail store rented on Main Street in downtown Beaver Dam.

In January 2003, Dale & Wilda decided to purchase and renovate the old downtown Drug Store and Doctor’s Office. This was the first step toward having the Antique Store of their dreams! Then tragedy struck in March 2003 as Wilda was diagnosed with breast cancer. The same weekend that spring saw Wilda’s surgery and the passing of Dale’s mother. Chemotherapy followed through the summer leaving both Dale and Wilda wondering if they would ever realize their dream.

Undeterred, Wilda would work in the rented store as Dale plugged along on refinishing their historic building. Working in the store across the street from their dream, helped Wilda stay positive through her fight with cancer. Through the blessings of God, Wilda is now a breast cancer survivor and through hardwork, sweat and tears, Dale and Wilda opened their dream store, Barnes Yesterday, in the spring of 2004.

The store is one of a kind and adds to the quaint culture of Beaver Dam, Kentucky. Entering the store’s front door immediately takes you back in time through the mural that is hand painted on the wall. It depicts scenes taken from snapshots of the Barnes Homestead where Dale grew up and where Dale and Wilda raised their 3 children, Rick, Dawn and Brice.

Dale and Wilda welcome you to this web site and encourage you to browse the store to pick out an antique or gift that can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. Or better yet, plan a trip to visit so we can share our dream with you. Barnes Yesterday is located 6.5 miles from the birthplace of Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass Music. You are always welcome.