Owner Links Customer's Story to Paranormal Activity
Deborah Lester, 58, has run the Old Curiosity Shop on Market Street in Kingswinford for 33 years. She believes the building, dating back to the 1860s, may be haunted by the son of a former customer. The shop, one of the oldest in Kingswinford, was originally a Victorian home before serving as a hairdresser, a florist, and now an antique shop.
Chance Encounter with a 94-Year-Old Customer
Ms. Lester recalled a visit from an elderly woman who said she once lived in the building. "She was aged 94," Ms. Lester said. "She was with her daughter and said, 'I remember living here.'" The property was originally back-to-back houses, with separate front and rear dwellings. Original features like the fireplace and piggery wall remain visible.
Discovery of Tin Helmets and Paranormal Investigation
While removing wallpaper upstairs, Ms. Lester found six tin helmets. She initially thought little of it until paranormal investigators visited. "We had someone come in with a machine that can talk to ghosts," she said. "They said there was a soldier standing at the bottom of the stairs, looking at me now. I thought that is the old lady's son. Their geiger counter was going crazy."
No Negative Feelings Despite the Haunting
Despite the discovery, Ms. Lester has not experienced any negative energy. "I've never had any bad feelings here," she added. The shop has also been featured on BBC's Antiques Road Trip five times.
