Melanie LaFleur LLC Antiques, Estate and Consignments has its beginnings in Grandmother’s Church Point studio

By: Angela Becnel - Staff Writer
LAFAYETTE - What makes an antique technically an antique? Some say that the item just has to be old, or from the past.

“A true antique is over 100 years old. Everything else is vintage.” Melanie LaFleur has been around antique shops as long as she can remember. “I have always antiqued and I have always needed a project to work on.” She now owns Melanie LaFleur, LLC Antiques, Estate and Consignments in Lafayette.

Melanie grew up in a very large family in Church Point. She is the second oldest of twelve siblings, the daughter of Mike and Sue Hanley. Mike Hanley owned and operated a family business, Hanley’s Bottling Works on Main Street right where the drink known as Chocolate Soldier was bottled. Melanie and her siblings worked several summers bottling, delivering, labeling and stacking cases.

Melanie’s grandmother, Gertie Mae Hanley had an antique shop out of her home at 215 East Broussard in Church Point. She converted the garage of their house into “the Studio”. Sadly, Melanie’s grandfather, Tooney died at a young age leaving Gertie Mae to support herself and their six children.

“My grandmother was amazing and so much fun,” recalls Melanie. All of Gertie Mae’s grandchildren spent a week every summer at her home learning to spin cotton, weave on her loom, make homemade pizzas and cakes from scratch. “We also made mud pies.” Melanie recalls with a smile how patient she was with all her grandchildren. “Additionally, she gave painting lessons. Her home was a learning experience.”

“A customer of ours told me that they even learned how to cane from our Grandmother,” said Melanie’s sister, Missy Zaunbrecher, who is an associate at Melanie LaFleur Antiques.

For Christmas, Gertie Mae would invite all six of her children and their young families to come over to select something for themselves from her studio filled with everything imaginable.

“We each took a number and anxiously had to wait our turn to go in and shop,” explained Melanie. “The Studio was filled with inventory and we could pick any gift we wanted. All ages could find something.” She also remembers playing”store” with her cousins from Baton Rouge.

“It’s in my blood,” she giggled. So with her background, it is no surprise that Melanie started her own business in her own garage. Then one day, she drove to a building in Lafayette to view some antiques.

“Eventually I rented the building and then took over the other half as well,” stated Melanie. The 4000 square foot structure at 241 Industrial Parkway is home to a thriving retail business which reflects the creative vision of her grandmother, Gertie Mae Hanley and the business mindfulness of her grandfather, Tooney Hanley.

There is an additional 2000 square feet of outdoor space for creative patio and garden items. Melanie has an obvious talent for antiques and a passion for the primitive. She loves very old confit jars from France, old metal watering cans and warm French decor. One of her favorites to collect and sell is Old Paris Porcelain. Another favorite is Majolica, a line of pottery which was introduced at market in 1851 by Herbert Minton. Majolica pottery bears “a mystical force which keeps the eyes riveted.” Years later Majolica is still amazingly cozy displayed in a hutch or buffet.

There are mirrors, old doors and other architectural elements, custom made drapes, silver and crystal, lamps and hanging light fixtures, furniture and rugs, original paintings and framed art, tole (painted metal) and estate jewelry. Melanie is extremely selective. She travels to market, to auctions and often receives inventory on consignment from customers.

Her designer, Alan Kershaw helps to keep things clear, bright and clutter free. He recently implemented some inventory reorganization and added a fresh coat of paint to bring in “new energy”.

“I like to work with the newer more modern pieces which can compliment the antiques and vintage furnishings,” stated Alan. He points to a display which houses candles, newer furniture and vintage lighting combined with touches of the primitive.

“Young people today have lost their appreciation for antiques. They want new things instead of keeping their inheritance.” Melanie encourages the younger generation to keep their family heirlooms, especially primitive antiques, to pass on to future generations. “Or you can start your own collections.”