Antiques and vintage items have history and often, a great story attached to their provenance. From their sometimes less-than-perfect but charming details to the stellar workmanship they boast, antiques transport us to bygone eras. Fortunately for residents of Elizabeth City, there are a number of great retail options available for those who want to round out an existing collection or find the perfect, one-of-a-kind collectible. Jennifer and Rick Ladich, owners of Coppersmith Antiques & Auction Company (123 S. Hughes Blvd., 252-331-5814), have sold antiques and vintage items for the past 25 years. Within their large space filled with furniture, glassware and porcelain from the 18th century to the mid-century decades of the 1950s and ‘60s, the Ladichs offer appraisal services and auction and estate sale services, as well. They also rent booths to dealers, which has created an antiques mall under one roof. While Rick has been interested in antiques his entire life and purchased his first collection (glass bottles) at age 12, Jennifer’s curiosity about them piqued after meeting Rick 18 years ago. With her newfound knowledge, she purchased a “unique, turn-of-the-century oak china closet with lion heads carved into it.” Allow yourself the time to browse here because there’s a lot to see including Persian rugs, stained glass light pendants, a Heywood Wakefield dining set and fireplace mantles. “We re-purpose and upscale previously loved items,” explains Karen Cameron, owner of Funked Up Junk (302 Mill St., 757-328-8697) which she runs with her husband, Casey. With a creative eye and an artistic hand, they combine everyday items and re-purpose them into something that may be completely different than the item’s originally intended use. A vintage headboard and footboard, for example, are cut, reconfigured, and freshly painted and now serve as a funky bench. The store, located in the old Millworks Shop, has wonderful character and is a stylish backdrop for their unique inventory. With this expansive room, Karen and Casey have been able to house a showroom and a consignment area where others sell their own creative pieces or odds-and-ends to customers interested in trying their hand at making a one-of-a-kind piece. So much imagination is at work here so have a look, purchase a finished piece, or perhaps combine a few pieces to create something that is distinctively yours. Upon entering The Treasure Hunter (112 N. Road St., 252-722-6078), one is struck by the vast array of items in display cases, on tables and in cabinets. Owned by Milton and Angel Sawyer, the inventory ranges from gold and silver to collectibles from the 1700s to the 1980s to vintage metal signage and gas pumps to home furnishings. The Sawyers also offer appraisal and consignment services and buy “entire estates outright.” Milton, who has sold antiques for the past 30 years, started buying stamps and coins at age seven with his father. His first independent deal, at age 13, marked “the true beginning of his business” and with a $100 loan from his father, he purchased a comic book collection and made $2500. He still loves vintage comic books and old baseball cards and “really anything old and interesting and rare because there’s a story in all of it.” One display case in the store bears several sets of whimsical mid-century ceramic salt and pepper shakers and at the rear of the store is a rad collection of vinyl albums by The Doors, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Creedence Clearwater Revival, amongst hundreds of others. And your eye is certain to catch the items that win the award for Most Unusual Collectibles: bottles containing preserved black scorpions. Twice Is Nice (102 E. Main St. and 106 N. Road St., 252-619-9185 or 252-619-3395), owned by Sherry and Jeffrey Waff, has a mix of antique and vintage items including collectibles, glass, housewares and furniture and also offers appraisal services. ‘Project pieces’ are also sold that allow the buyer to re-purpose or refinish them to their liking. The shop, which is comprised of connected rooms, has inventory that allows you to channel your inner Peggy Olson with a set of mid-century modern nesting tables, a collection of 1960s frosted Tom Collins glasses featuring scenes from the old south and a 1950s wood telephone chair with a lyre back. If modern baroque is more to your liking, a tufted red velvet wing chair paired with a black and red velvet Duncan Phyfe sofa fits the bill. And for an advance warning about storms on the horizon, a 1950s barometer from West Germany will become a trusted forecaster. For anyone renovating a historic house, The Jack Frost-Johnson Architectural Salvage Store (504 Hughes Blvd., 252-340-1106) operated by the Elizabeth City Historical Neighborhood Association (ECHNA), is an invaluable resource. Store director Rick Boyd notes that most of the inventory comes from houses and commercial buildings that date from the 1880s through the 1940s. From mouldings, beadboard and trim to old windows and old doors, this store services customers who are looking for replacement items that match the period and integrity of their homes. Store proceeds support the supply of free walking tour pamphlets that can be picked up around the city, restoration seminars, and a working classroom where local residents learn how to make repairs in their homes. Notable items recently spotted in the store’s inventory include a pair of 1940s stoves with warming trays and never-used globe lights from the 1950s. The bi-level Tina Clancy’s Art and Antique Connection (116 N. Poindexter St., 252-339-3868), which opened in 2012, is chock-full of Depression glass, vintage china and furniture including Eastlake, Duncan Phyfe, Victorian and mid-century modern pieces. Tina, who is the sole proprietor of the business, began collecting privately 20 years ago, with her first vintage purchase of “a beautiful German hutch from 1910,” and views the local antiques community as “very knowledgeable” with “excellent people who are always willing to help and answer questions.” With a great appreciation for custom built furniture, especially “very rustic pieces from the mid-1800s constructed from solid wood with the use of dowels or square nails that are one-of-a-kind,” she sells these as well as fine veneer pieces. Tina believes in mixing wood types and eras, as is reflected in the room vignettes dotted around the store that are full of personality. Take your time meandering through the various rooms and aisles to see a Japanese-inspired cabinet with brass butterfly hinges, ornate mirrors, silver Art Deco tea services and a Queen Anne highboy. Click here for a complete list of Antiques, Shopping and Dining while in Elizabeth City. Simone Cooper is a publicist and branding specialist who is also a mid-century modern fanatic. When she’s not assisting clients with messaging, you can find her hunting for furniture and housewares from the 1960s. Liza Franco captures the moments of life that will one day be someone’s memories and links for generations to come. Her work includes, lifestyle, commercial, fine art and portrait photography.
Antiques and vintage items have history and often, a great story attached to their provenance. From their sometimes less-than-perfect but charming details to the stellar workmanship they boast, antiques transport us to bygone eras. Fortunately for residents of Elizabeth City, there are a number of great retail options available for those who want to round out an existing collection or find the perfect, one-of-a-kind collectible.
