The store’s old space remains vacant, though that area of town (we call it Wellesley Swills…in between Wellesley Square and Wellesley Hills), has been revitalized of late with the opening of Whole Foods, Pine Straw and City Sports.

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Wellesley’s Bob Richards showed off his 1911 Model T Ford (above) at the classic car show held at Elm Bank Reservation on Sunday, which was packed with Packards, Indy pace cars, Shelby Cobras, assorted hood-gaping muscle cars and shiny trophies against the backdrop of the blooming MassHort gardens.

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Elm Bank Reservation on the Wellesley/Dover/South Natick line hosted its 6th annual antiques show over the weekend.  In an effort to escape the summer heat of past years, organizers moved the show from July to June, only to have Mother Nature serve up weather better for turtles than shoppers, not that many antiques fans didn’t still show up.

Things at the show I have also seen at Wellesley’s RDF Give-and-Take area:  Ironstone pitchers, mismatched flatware; Lenox salt-and-pepper shakers.  Things at the show that you can’t get from the Give-and-Take area:  Tables, because RDF volunteers use them to display the constantly changing stock of residents’ cast-offs; oil paintings of Cape Cod; full sets of dishes.

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“Wellesley has changed a great deal during our many years here. Largely gone are the days of independently-owned boutiques. In their place are large, national chains, real estate offices, banks, salons and pizza places. Did I mention real estate offices and banks? Given that Ann Taylor and Clarks have recently departed, and that Talbots had given up part of their space some time ago, perhaps town residents do not even support the national chains,” says Stock, who grew up in Natick and used to shop in Wellesley with his mother at a host of unique stores such as Olken’s and a pre-national chain Filene’s.

Stock acknowledges that D.B. Stock has always attracted many of its clients from other parts of the United States, having exhibited at antiques shows and done national advertising. But he said it was stunning last year to see that it got the same number of new clients from southern California as it did from Wellesley.

“When I realized that toward the end of last year, it was essentially the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Stock says.

“Why furnish an investment? Instead of familiarizing themselves with art and antiques, many affluent younger people now farm everything out to decorators,” Stock says.  “Many of the decorators go wherever they receive the biggest commission (generally meaning places with high mark-ups) and where their job is made easier by doing a bland, cookie-cutter beige room.” He adds that many “formal” rooms today in this area have defaulted to last generation Crate & Barrel or Ikea furniture.

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Co-owner Kevin Lynch says the business will move online only after it closes at the end of March. He says the gallery, which we introduced you to in January,  had a short-term lease and that the landlord has found a long-term tenant.  Between now and then, May’s will be marking down its merchandise.

RELATED: Linden Square of Wellesley

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The annual Antiques at Elm Bank event at the Wellesley/Natick/Dover line, which traditionally has taken place in July, is going to be held June 11-12 instead this year.

The antiques show brings together many one-of-a-kind items against the flowery backdrop at Mass Horticultural’s headquarters at  Elm Bank Reservation.

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If you grab an online coupon here you can save a whole dollar on Saturday’s $8 adult admission to the Antiques at Elm Bank show. If you get together and do this with about 50 or 100 of your friends, you might even be able to put the savings toward buying an old dish or vase! You can get $3 off Sunday’s admission with another coupon, or visit Sunday for free if you go Saturday.

Dealers will showcase their wares at the 4th annual event among the Elm Bank gardens and buildings. It’s a nice event and free for kids 16 and under.

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The space at 260 Washington St. formerly occupied by fancy rug seller Thornhill Gallery is now for lease.

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Antiques at Elm Bank Estate takes place this weekend at Elm Bank Reservation on Rte. 16 near the Wellesley/Natick line. 9am-5pm Saturday, 10am-4pm Sunday. Also check out the Manor House. More info here, including discount coupons.

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