Soap opera relics find a second life at Amenia store

 AMENIA — Outside Donegan’s Doneag’ins (pronounced “done againsâ€�) on Route 343 in Amenia, one wouldn’t suspect an Emmy award for the long-running daytime soap opera “As the World Turnsâ€� to be resting casually on a shelf inside. But the more surprising fact is that the items sold in Dennis Donegan’s second-hand shop have a closer connection to the show than the award itself.

    The Daytime Emmy belongs to Donegan, who worked for 18 years as a production designer for the show before it was canceled in 2009.

    The new Amenia resident’s business opened at the end of August and offers second-hand home goods, but the current inventory is almost entirely made up of items from the soap opera’s set and includes a variety of unusual pieces of furniture, artwork and other items.

    â€œI would say that these are things that have been used and are being given a second life,â€� Donegan explained. “They’ve been done again.â€�

    The store owner describes the goods as “a touch on the eccentric side.â€�

    â€œIt’s just something you might not see every day,â€� he said. “They’re little treasures. On the soap opera, we were able to create fantasy lives, and so these are little bits and pieces of fantasy in a way.â€�

    Donegan said he believes his business is one of the first in an “Amenia revivalâ€� that he sees taking place in the center of the hamlet. Noting the attraction of the equestrian supply shop, Horse Leap, just down the road, he also pointed out several business that have recently opened or are intending to open soon, like the diner on the corner of Route 343 and Mechanic Street and a coffee and sandwich shop a little bit farther down the road.

    â€œThings are happening along this strip,â€� he said confidently.

From all his years on the show, some of the items have stories, while some he admits he can’t even remember when they were purchased or what they were used for.

    â€œBut they’re great,â€� he said, looking at a pair of pictures hanging on the wall. “They’re all quality items that have reasonable prices.â€�

    Donegan’s Doneag’ins is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment. The shop is located at 3324 Route 343 and can be reached at 845-789-1331.

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