FARMINGTON — A longtime dream for Kathy Harriman of Farmington recently came true with the opening of an antique and collectibles shop on Front Street.

Our Secret offers a variety of colorful pieces of furniture and furnishings adorning the space in the Front Street Exchange building. It is above the Thai Smile and Sushi Restaurant.

Each piece is bought by Harriman and arranged by others under her direction.

She said although she owns the shop, she cannot work in it and is relying on employees to keep the doors open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. She’s only a phone call away, she said.

Injured on a job in Florida 20 years ago, Harriman experiences a lot of pain and spends a good part of the day in bed, she said. She manages the business from her home.

After five years as a patient at Orchard Park Rehabilitation and Living Center, Harriman decided to leave and get an apartment, she said.

“I needed something to take up my mind,” she said.

Handling receipts and the paperwork that goes with the business she can do from home. Her experience as a restaurant manager helps with organization of the new business, she said.

She also does all the buying for the shop with a keen eye for appealing items. She requires help to get her to sales and to browse antique shops, she said.

“I can’t shop for long periods,” she said. “I spend most of the day in bed. It depends on how I feel.”

She also can’t lift.

“It takes a lot of help,” she said of employees who man the store and do the physical work. “But, it’s always been a dream to have a shop.”

She started seriously shopping for the business about three months ago and then sought a place.

There are new things ready for display all the time.

“There’s a backup of new things ready to come out on the floor,” she said.

Harriman said she bought her first collectible piece when she was a teenager growing up in Cape Elizabeth.

Since the opening on Aug. 29, Harriman is learning from nearby new business owners Christine Geisser and Tom Saviello of Front Street Merchantile who offer gifts, goods, decor items and antiques.

“We offer different things,” Harriman said.

So far, it’s been a lot of fun, she said.

“I’m excited and comfortable with the start,” she said.

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