Groton Antiques: First installment of new hotel

When Pat Harder, 1967 Groton High School alumnus, was a freshman, he knew that he would someday become a physical education (PE) teacher and wrestling coach — and that he did. He certainly never dreamed then that he would return to Groton with his wife, Romy, to open an antique shop in 2024 — but he did that, too!

The Benn Conger Inn recently celebrated its third anniversary since Christine Clare Brennan became its new owner, and all of Groton is thrilled that she also purchased The Groton Hotel (TGH) this past summer. Renovations have been underway since, and more on that will be coming in this column, but Pat and Romy are already TGH’s first permanent residents and the owners of Groton Antiques in the retail space next to it.

The Harders relocated to Groton from Arizona in July. For Romy, it was a new experience, but for Pat, it was a homecoming.

“I grew up here,” Pat said. “I ran the Groton Pool for eight years in high school and college, but in school, I was a wrestler. Dick Ross was my PE teacher and Carmon Molino was my wrestling coach, and they both inspired my future career.”

Pat went on to Corning Community College and the University at Buffalo, wrestling at both and earning his bachelor’s degree in PE, but he could not find a permanent job anywhere in New York state.

“One day, I got a phone call from my high school friend, Leigh Riese, asking me if I found a job yet,” Pat said. “He gave me a number to call, and I was hired over the phone to teach PE on the San Carlos Apache Reservation near Globe, Arizona. Their school went to eighth grade, and then the students went to Globe High School [Globe], so I ended up as the wrestling coach there.”

Meanwhile, Romy grew up in Arizona, earning her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at the University of Arizona and her master’s from Northern Arizona University. She taught for two years elsewhere before she also ended up at Globe, teaching English and journalism by day and at Gila Pueblo College at night.

Pat and Romy met while teaching at Globe and were married on Groundhog Day in 1984. Pat ended up teaching and coaching at Globe for 30 years, and Romy also coached basketball and wrestling at the junior high school.

“I always liked basketball and learned to coach it from a book,” Romy said. “Pat taught me how to coach wrestling, and I did well.”

So how did the Harders end up as antique dealers? Romy wanted a house with hardwood floors, so they purchased a three-story 1907 saltbox home and went to work restoring and decorating it with period décor, which involved going to auctions.

“I loved the hunt!” Romy declared. “I became a dealer part time in a friend’s antique shop, and when I retired from teaching in 2000, we bought and restored the late 1800s Knights of Pythias building and had our own antique store in it for six years.”

The Harders next moved to Pine Top, Arizona, where they named their antique store there after their dog — Lily Bear Antiques. They were there for seven years, but then moved to Prescott, Arizona because it was so cold in Pine Top.

“In Prescott, we opened Copper Pig Antiques, which was a 4,500-square-foot building,” Romy said. “We specialized in copper. In fact, we brought a lot of it here to sell. At that point, our business was getting so large and we didn’t want to have to hire employees, but I also didn’t want to give up the hunt.”

In spring 2024, the Harders came to the area to go to the Madison Bouckville Antique show, but also to visit Pat’s cousin, Terry Walpole. While visiting, Walpole mentioned that Chris Brennan was restoring TGH.

On a whim, Romy said, “Wouldn’t it be fun to have a little antique shop in the hotel and live upstairs?” The whim became much more, as Pat and Romy discussed it on their way back to Arizona and called Brennan.

“I asked Chris, `How would you like permanent residents and also rent your retail space?’ And she was very excited,” Romy said. “We decided to do it and sold everything we owned in Arizona within 30 days!”

The Harders moved here in July and had their soft opening of Groton Antiques on Nov. 1. They plan to be open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. until January 1, when they’ll reevaluate the hours and days. Anyone with questions may contact Romy at 480-296-6778.

“I love it here,” Romy said. “Everyone has been so welcoming. I am so grateful for everyone’s kindness and offers of help, and I am extremely grateful to Cornell Veterinary Hospital for saving our dog, Otis’, life. This is a whole new life that I have always wanted to live!”

“I am thrilled to be back in Groton,” Pat said. “I’ve loved getting reacquainted with old friends and lifelong residents who remember me, especially Carmon and Marge Molino, and I sure enjoy that Cornell chicken again!”

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922. 

In brief:

Ridge Runners spaghetti supper

The Groton Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club will hold a spaghetti supper from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9 at its clubhouse, 748 Salt Rd. Meals include spaghetti and meatballs and a side salad. Cost is $14 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and $10 for children aged 5-12. Children 4 and under may eat for free. Take-out dinners are also available.

Veteran’s Day at the Legion

In addition to its annual Veteran’s Day dinner on Saturday, Nov. 9, the Groton American Legion will host a Veteran’s Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, with light refreshments afterwards.

American Legion blood drive

The Groton American Legion Post 800 will proudly sponsor a community blood drive through the American Red Cross in the Legion Hall, 307 Main St., from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20. To schedule an appointment to donate, call 800-733-2767 or visit www.redcrossblood.org.