North Melbourne’s treasure chest

For the past 22 years, one North Melbourne trader has turned his knack for finding treasure into the area’s very own antique paradise. 

Dave Hauswirth, who is the owner of Ace Antiques located at 555 Queensberry St, North Melbourne, was destined to enter the antiques game, with his father, uncle and grandfather all being collectors. 

Some of his earliest memories are of his father and uncle trading collectables and he recalls a time when his uncle bought 250 Singer sewing machines from one person. 

Recollections such as these planted a seed in the owner of Ace Antiques, who, after a stint in construction, decided to follow family tradition and opened his first store in Perth. 

However, the trader began to see the truth behind Western Australia’s reputation as the “wait-awhile” state and after a few quiet years decided to shut shop and relocate to Melbourne because there was more opportunity. 

After loading his antiques into a 48-foot boxcar, the then-soon-to-be owner of Ace Antiques made his way across the Nullarbor to greener pastures, and he hasn’t looked back since. 

Ace Antiques has become a North Melbourne institution during its 22-year life and the store's owner pins this down to the people and opportunities available in Melbourne. 

Trade fairs and swap meets around the city have helped Mr Hauswirth find new customers and treasure-seekers, and he said that there was a bigger second-hand market compared to Perth. 

However, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for the North Melbourne trader who told North West City News his business “only just kept its head above water” when COVID hit. 

He made attempts to turn the business online but to no avail. Luckily for Mr Hauswirth, with the post-pandemic blues behind him and the city open again, his store has reached new heights. 

He stocks the largest range of Bakelite radios in Australia, as well as glassware, china, collectable signs, knick-knacks and 100 crates of records. 

From original Pink Floyd pressings to the likes of Frank Zappa and Miles Davis, Ace Antiques has something for every listener. 

There is also a large collection of enamel signs from petrol pumps, train stations, newsagents, and streets around Australia. 

To make some more room for his ever-growing collection of antiques, Mr Hauswirth has taken over the shop next door, which one day will be filled with records and hi-fi collectables such as amplifiers and speakers. 

For anyone looking to pick up a new record or surprise collectable, Ace Antiques is North Melbourne’s one-stop-shop that is only a short ride on the 57 tram away. •