In Red Hook, Hoffman’s Barn Is A Repository of the Living History of the Region
Hoffman’s Barn in Red Hook, New York, is a bit of an old secret. Set on an acre or two right off of Route 9, the pole barn surrounded by outdoor furniture, farm equipment, architectural elements, plenty of kitchen sinks and what-all else, Roger Hoffman’s antique shop is easy to drive past. But when the shop is open (Fridays and weekends only), it’s a unique destination for serious antiquers, pickers and shoppers of all kinds.
Crowded with everything from high-end cabinetry and furniture to old tools and vinyl records, Hoffman’s is a repository of the living history of the region. When sourcing new items for his store, Roger Hoffman takes care to learn the history of the homes and the people from which the items come. Whether behind the counter or working around the shop, the affable patriarch can be found chatting up customers about Dutchess County history and the old family farm.
“People seem to really be drawn to the old farm and industrial equipment we carry,” said Hoffman. “If you've grown up on a farm, you can really see the value in these items."
Hoffman grew up right here. His father, Charles, bought a 240-acre farm in 1938. It had a large 1860s barn on it and the family started out with a 60-70 cow milking herd and a huge fruit farm where the Red Hook Estates development now sits. There’s another mega-development going up behind Hoffman’s Barn on fields he sold off years ago.
The fruit farm stopped being profitable and they shut it down in 1951. Ten years later they closed the dairy. Hoffman returned from four years in the Navy in 1966 and began selling the farm's produce out of its large roadside market. Over the years they sold a variety of other things at the stand, too, including antiques. In 1990, Hoffman sold the market building (which housed many businesses until it burned down a few years ago). He needed a place to store the stuff that was left over and erected the pole barn. His wife, Pamela, suggested he sell the antiques from there. So, Hoffman’s Barn was born.
“She said we could do a yard sale type thing,” Hoffman said. “It just snowballed from there.”
Hoffman’s is not a chic Hudson antique gallery, but don’t let its appearance fool you. There are serious items here including a Model T and a ton of architectural elements like windows, doors, moldings and fireplaces. Hoffman’s has been a resource over the years for designers and even film set dressers. The historic industrial and agrarian equipment here is extremely desirable for adding texture and veracity to an interior or exterior design theme, whether modern or country style.
“I have really great people here,” Hoffman said. “My wife’s a big part of it and she and the three men I’ve got working here deserve a lot of the credit.”
Pamela Hoffman is in charge of housewares while Hoffman and his guys man different aspects of the business, from sourcing new items to detailed restoration. On the day RI visited, Hoffman and his crew were excited about items picked up from an old print shop. A huge old wood and iron worktable, and a fabulous old cabinet with flat storage drawers needed some dedicated cleaning before they could hit the floor.
“Certain items captivate you. You can feel the provenance and the life they led,” said Hoffman. “In some cases they’ve been touched by really interesting people, whether you know them or not. We try to convey that feeling.”
Another reason Hoffman’s draws shoppers in the know is that, while everything is priced appropriately, nothing feels overpriced. Hoffman said his approach is all about being fair. He wants to be able to give a fair price to the person he bought it from and sell it for a fair price, as well. Because space inside the barn is pretty tight, there’s an incentive to price things to move. It’s easy to leave Hoffman’s feeling like you got a deal.
Hoffman’s Barn is one of those authentic, old regional businesses you see less and less of these days. Filled with character and characters, the shop is a rewarding place to spend an hour or two digging for treasure. But be forewarned — it’s nearly impossible to leave empty handed.
Hoffman's Barn
19 Old Farm Rd., Red Hook, NY
(845) 758-5668
Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday & Saturday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday
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