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.