11/05/2026
Behind the Biz: The House of Poe
A year and a half ago, Eric Anderson walked into Rusty's Antiques as a customer with a passion for antiques. He had no plans of becoming a business owner. When he noticed booths available for rent, he decided to give selling a try and rented a space upstairs. "It was definitely not a planned thing initially," Anderson said. "I had come into the store when Rusty owned it and was buying stuff, and he had booths available for rent. I rented a booth from him upstairs."
What began as a hobby quickly turned into something more. While Anderson had always loved antiques, becoming a vendor gave him a new appreciation for the business side of the industry. "I have always loved antiques, but this made me fall in love with being a seller," he said. Around the same time, former owner Rusty began talking about stepping away from the business and asked Anderson if he would be interested in taking over. The idea caught him by surprise."At first I was like, 'No, not really,'" Anderson recalled. "But then I went home and talked to my family about it, and I said, 'Okay, let's give it a try!'"
On March 1, 2026, Anderson officially became the owner and immediately got to work putting his own vision into the business. The newly renamed House of Poe reflects Anderson's personality and interests. The store is named after his rescue dog, Poe, whose name was inspired by Anderson's favorite author, Edgar Allan Poe. "My favorite author is Edgar Allan Poe, and so we named our dog after him," Anderson said. "That's why you see in the logo it's a bit more gothic. I'm inspired by a lot of his writings."
While antiques remain at the heart of the business, Anderson's goals extend far beyond buying and selling vintage items. Community involvement and service are central to the vision he has for the future. "I'm big into supporting non-profits that work on animal adoptions and animal care," he said. The animal lover has already begun building partnerships with local organizations, including Cat's Cradle, Mews Herald in Morganton, and the Burke County Humane Society. He hopes to host future events that will support their work. "I want to give back to the community and be focused on community service, and not just an antique store," Anderson said. His plans also include working with local artists and creating opportunities for people to gather and connect through community events such as vintage fairs, farmers' markets, and seasonal celebrations like Christmas in July.
Although Anderson is the owner, he is far from doing it alone. He credits family, friends, vendors, and mentors for helping him navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. With no employees yet, his children occasionally help out, and many of the store's vendors willingly lend a hand when needed. He also credits those who help in other ways, like mentorship. Some of his most valuable pieces of guidance have come from people who have walked the same path before him. "I think having good mentors is one of the best ways to succeed," Anderson said. "Rusty has been great in providing me with a lot of insight, feedback, and advice." He has also leaned on friends who own antique stores and other supporters, including a close friend who designed the House of Poe logo.
Starting a business has required long hours and plenty of dedication. Anderson estimates he spends between 70 and 80 hours a week working, whether the doors are open or not. "Knowing that you're going to have to work a lot of hours when you first get started," he said. "I probably spend 70 to 80 hours here a week. Even when we're not open, reworking stuff and organizing to make sure that this place is successful." Despite the demands of business ownership, Anderson says the support he has received from the Valdese community has made the experience worthwhile. "I have been amazed at how welcoming the people here in Valdese are," he said. "Very supportive and helpful and want me to succeed."
Today, Anderson sees himself as more than a business owner. He sees himself as a member of a community that has embraced him and his vision. "I'm very happy to be a member of this community now," he said.
Article By Noelle Johnston
Photos By Jeri Boerger
