Tepapanui Antiques & Collectibles

Joe and Elizabeth Klein had spent weekends in Invermere since 1984, so a few years after Joe retired they decided to open a ‘wee antiques store’ to keep Joe out of mischief. Having traveled extensively and having loved and collected antiques for many years, the Scottish couple agreed it was the perfect business for them.

Their first thought was to build a barn on their property and sell a few antiques from there. However, when they couldn’t get planning permission, they had a contractor build to suit their needs in Invermere. At first it was just a couple of rooms, but Joe’s little hobby took off and sort of grew a life of its own, until today 8,000 sq. ft. of space is filled to the brim with lovingly hand-picked treasures. The name they gave the business is Te Papa Nui, which is a Maori, New Zealand word meaning “Our Big Place” and it couldn’t be more appropriate.

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Joe and Elizabeth travel two or three times a year to purchase antiques from China, Belgium, England, Scotland and France. They have even been to Hungary and Russia but say that it is very difficult nowadays to get pieces from Eastern Europe. If you are looking for a particular piece, the Kleins will keep an eye out for it when they travel.

A big part of their business comes by word-of-mouth. “People who love antiques come and find us,” says Elizabeth. They also have an illustrated Internet catalogue on their website, containing “too many to count” in-stock items, enabling antiques lovers to preview what’s available at any given time. Sometimes they sell, sight-unseen, to an Internet customer but most people like to come and touch the wood before making their purchase.

The popular ‘Canadian Antiques Roadshow‘ has given more people an appreciation for old things steeped in history. Many people realize that purchasing a quality piece that has stood the test of time is a wiser choice than putting their money into a new piece that may not last. “If it has lasted for a hundred years,” says Elizabeth, “it will easily last for another hundred.”

Elizabeth and Joe say they aren’t experts but they have come to know quality and are usually able to tell a person if an heirloom piece could be valuable. However, if they are not certain they will recommend the name of a qualified appraiser.

Te Papa Nui has something for everyone’s taste and budget. Quality and affordability is what the business is all about. Elizabeth and Joe buy what they themselves like and what they know their customers are looking for. They like to see the pieces they have chosen find new homes quickly.