By Angelina O’Brien
We are happy to get an in-depth look at the longstanding antique shop, Merchantville Antiques and Salvage, from co-owner Jaclyn Ricci, as she talks about the business she runs with her husband, Michael Ricci. Michael can typically be found in the store, making lamp and lighting repairs, while Jackie is often researching pieces and running the office and social media.
We are happy to get an in-depth look at the longstanding antique shop, Merchantville Antiques and Salvage, from co-owner Jaclyn Ricci, as she talks about the business she runs with her husband, Michael Ricci. Michael can typically be found in the store, making lamp and lighting repairs, while Jackie is often researching pieces and running the office and social media. Where did this entrepreneurship begin in your family and how did it develop into Merchantville Antiques and Salvage today?
Michael’s family has been present in Merchantville for over 100 years with a plethora of businesses throughout the years. His grandfather opened a shoe repair store, his father was a shoe coddler, his mother owned a dress store, his brother is involved in handyman work and construction, and they even owned a deli in Merchantville. Entrepreneurship and business ownership have been steadfast in Michael’s family. Michael has always had the love of antiques. His family always held on to things because “you never know when you might need something.”
How do you collect the items you sell?
We are always on the hunt looking for interesting pieces to add to the shop along with specific items that a customer may be looking for. We try to look for unique, different than what is currently out there, and within the trends to constantly move merchandise. We also have some pieces that last a very long time in the shop just waiting for the right buyer to come along.
Recently, there have been difficulties in acquiring pieces. COVID has made it difficult for any antique or vintage shop to acquire items, especially with state/federal restrictions limiting gatherings, which curbed the normal estate sales, antique markets, and events that fed our industry.
How did you get into the Lighting repairs and installation part of the business?
Michael does all the lighting and repairs. He is a mechanic by trade for over twenty years and his specialty was electric, so it comes naturally to him. It all started when a customer came in one day and needed a lamp repair and Michael happily agreed to fix it. Eventually, that person told more and more people about the repair and it ballooned into this side aspect of the business. This even led to us carrying vintage and antique lamps, replacement pieces, chandeliers, desk, floor, pendant, and ceiling lighting. Any lighting that is broken, we can probably fix it!
What are your most popular types of antiques to sell?
There actually aren’t any most popular items because of the variety that Merchantville Antiques and Salvage carries. We have vintage electronics to salvaged pieces to furniture, kitchen, and housewares. All walks of people come to see the multi-faceted array of items. If you come in for something, we might just have it here!
What are your personal favorite pieces to collect?
We both fall in love with pieces all the time. If I bring it home, it might not come back to the store! We have our areas of expertise: Michael enjoys furniture and lighting and I am very interested in marks, research, and history. Besides the normal maker’s mark identifying the person or company responsible for the production of the piece, the “marks” I appreciate are the dings, dents, rubs, and patina giving an item its character and telling the story of its journey.
Do you focus on restoring items or do you allow customers to restore pieces themselves?
It depends on the piece. You want to appreciate the patina and wear on the piece. We may fix up a lamp or a chair, but ultimately leave it alone. We want the buyer to have the imagination to take them anywhere they want to go with their piece, whether they want to paint it or keep it in its original form. We are not “purists,” but we do appreciate the value of original pieces. We just want the pieces to be used and re-loved by customers.
Where do your customers come from? Locally in Merchantville or from outside towns/states?
We are often a destination shop. We draw a wide variety of people, as far as Massachusetts, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Antique stores draw in what we call “trippers,” the people who road trip around the area for antiques. We do have a loyal base of people in town who constantly support us.
What is your favorite part of being a business owner in town?
I personally love the history of our town in itself, as I am an avid fan of research. We love the customer interaction and talking about the past. I love having regulars who pop in just to talk. We have known this town and its wonderful group of people. Merchantville has this charm that really draws people in. We are in the center of so many things. There is also a lot of support from the surrounding businesses. Merchantville has a lot to offer as a town for anyone coming in. Ultimately we love what we do!