Since 1997, the Old Strathcona Antique Mall has been a cornerstone of Edmonton’s antique and collectible scene, attracting treasure hunters from across Alberta. Spanning two floors and filled with overflowing booths, it’s the perfect place to find hand-carved wooden furniture, a vintage fur coat, retro toys, that Mark Messier jersey you always wanted or a pair of irresistibly weird salt and pepper shakers.
Earlier this year, the mall was put up for sale and purchased almost immediately by Mykel Lewsaw, a 27-year-old antique collector who also bought the Rocky Mountain Antique Mall just a few blocks south of the Old Strathcona Antique Mall in 2021.
How did an accounting student become an antique mogul? We spoke with Lewsaw to learn more about what attracted him to the business, the experience of managing two antique malls and what’s next for the Old Strathcona Antique Mall.
Tell me about yourself — where are you from and how did you get into antiques?
I grew up in High Level and went to Grande Prairie to study business, majoring in accounting. That’s where I got into antiques — I built a bit of a reputation dealing in oil and gas-related pieces and old advertising — things like signs, oil cans, bottles, stuff like that. I started selling when I was around 20 in a couple of stores and online — that really took off during COVID.
Were you collecting a bit of everything at first, or were you drawn to specific items?
When I started, I was really only after oil and gas-related pieces but I’ve always loved odd and unusual items, too. I like when someone walks into a shop and says, “Wow, I’ve never seen that before.” And I’m not just looking for signs and stuff, I want furniture that people have never seen before, I want dishware that people have never seen before.
How did that turn into buying an antique mall?
After college, I saw that the Rocky Mountain Antique Mall was for sale. I met with the owners a few times. We moved fairly quickly with the deal, and I relocated right away to learn the ropes before officially taking over.
Was there any hesitation on the owners’ part given your age?
It was an interesting conversation — I don’t think they were sure how serious I was, but after a few discussions, we were able to come to a deal. One of the previous owners is still a vendor, and we continue to work together.
And how did the purchase of the Old Strathcona Antique Mall come about?
I really enjoy what I do, I love the hunt. So when I saw the Old Strathcona Antique Mall was for sale, it just made sense to buy the other shop a couple blocks away. Even though we’re in the same business, the two stores are quite different and complement each other: Old Strathcona carries a lot smaller items like dishware, sports memorabilia and collectibles, while Rocky Mountain focuses more on true antiques — old advertising, older furniture, that sort of thing.
Where are you sourcing most of your inventory from?
There are always new collections coming up for sale, and sometimes people even call me from yard sales when they see something they think I might want. I love going on the road, visiting estates and meeting people, seeing what’s out there. It’s a lot of word of mouth.
What’s one of the most unique items you’ve found?
That’s a tough question because there have been so many. I’ve found signs where there are only four or five known in the world, even for well-known brands. Currently, I have a turn-of-the-century cabinet from France with all the original curved glass. The craftsmanship is incredible — it’s the kind of work you’ll never see again. It’s amazing it even survived. You look at that kind of furniture and realize it was all done by hand. There just aren’t many people today who can do that level of work, and furniture being made now doesn’t have that kind of longevity.
Have you made any changes to the Old Strathcona Mall since taking over last month?
There will be some slight changes coming in the future, but nothing drastic. It’s a good business, a lot of Edmontonians support it, so we’ll continue to carry on with it.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
