SHIRLEY - Like many small towns of its era, Shirley had a general store in the mid-1900s to provide the essentials for nearby residents.

The building is still there but the store has been closed for about 30 years. That will change Saturday when owner Rey Jannusch and her daughter, Andra Kuehl, open an antique and home décor store.

Jannusch, a descendent of the Funk family, remembers the first time she saw store.

"I came from California and thought it was so unusual and quaint," she said. "Many kids have stories about buying popsicles and canned goods there."

The store opened in 1913 near the railroad tracks and by what would later be known as Route 66.

The Walker family bought it in 1918 and ran it until the early 1970s. Jannusch and her husband, Rick bought it in 1975 to use as an antique store.

Rey Jannusch sold antiques at the old country store for about three years, then closed it to concentrate on raising a family.

Now she and her daughter will team up to bring life back into the building.

"My daughter and I need an adventure again," said Jannusch.

The new venture - named Anna Rey's at Funks Grove Country Store - is part of a continuing rebirth and expansion of the Funk family history that Jannusch is coordinating.

The store will be a hodge podge of items, Jannusch said. There are antiques from her first store and photos and drawings of Funks Grove.

The store also has a display about the nearby Funk Prairie Home Museum in the back room.

Jannusch said the old country store attracts visitors across the world because it is on the International Route 66 Tour. Up until now, those visitors have just been able to take pictures from the outside.

The store includes many of its original features, she said. Andra Kuehl plans to add a little charm.

Anna Rey's at Funks Grove Country Store

When: Open one weekend a month. This month the store will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Sunday. In May the store will be open the same times on May 20 and 21. Future dates will be announced later.

Where: Take Interstate 55 to the Shirley Exit, turn right. When you come to the "T" in the road, turn left. Go to Funk's Grove Road and turn right. Go over the railroad tracks; the store is on the left.

Funk Prairie Home and Gem and Mineral Museum

When: Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday March 1 through the end of December

Cost: Free

Reservations/Directions: Call Bill Case at (309) 827-6792