Nice Stuff by Paul: Many years of Discovery

WorthPoint’s “Actual Individuals, Actual Locations, Actual Enjoyable!” collection spotlights fascinating collectors, resellers, sellers, and extra within the antiques and collectibles world. Learn their tales to find the who, what, when, the place, and why behind what they do!

Because the summer time ends, hopefully taking record-high temperatures with it, many vintage followers are planning fall journeys. Whether or not heading to exhibits like Brimfield or small roadside outlets, resellers, pickers, and classic fans can be on the hunt. Fortunate for you, we’ve a must-see vacation spot so as to add to your itinerary—in Frederick, Maryland—however you don’t have a lot time left to go to! Learn on to search out out who, the place, when, and why the push.

WorthPoint® spoke to vintage seller Paul Berkowitz of Great Stuff by Paul as a part of our “Actual Individuals, Actual Locations, Actual Enjoyable!” collection and discovered about his a long time of discovering treasures from everywhere in the globe. Berkowitz has made it his life’s work to scout out high quality gadgets, purchase them in amount, and supply his clients with the perfect the world can provide at a good value. You received’t consider who a few of his clients are!

Paul shared a few of his tales with WorthPoint about how he bought began, the place he’s been (just about in all places), and his plans for the long run. Try our interview with Paul beneath to study extra about his “nice stuff.”

WorthPoint: How did you get began within the enterprise of shopping for and promoting antiques?

Nice Stuff by Paul: Effectively, I began out as a hairdresser. Then I met my spouse. She labored within the salons with me, however she liked antiques. I might go along with her to purchase a number of gadgets, however I didn’t know something then. The primary items that caught my eye had been trunks. I had three that I had picked up at gross sales, and I refinished them, kind of as a passion; what did I do know?

At my first present in Georgetown, I had three trunks, they usually bought instantly. That was the start; that was after I knew I favored working with my palms, refinishing gadgets, and making them helpful once more. I used to be so into trunks of all types; I first known as my enterprise “Nice Trunks By Paul,” however now it’s far more. After I see one thing I like, I am going all in. My spouse and I’ve been married for forty-seven years; I do know high quality.

WP: How did you discover merchandise and clients while you started the enterprise?

GSBP: I went to exhibits, any present I may get to; I loaded up a truck stuffed with no matter I had and went to the present. I’ve at all times purchased in amount; in an everyday store, they could have two or three of an merchandise, however I’ve 100. I can promote for much less as a result of I purchase large. I’m extra like a wholesaler; a lot of my clients have their very own outlets, they usually need to make a dwelling, so that they purchase from me at a good value, they usually make a little bit, and so do I. From shopping for truckloads, I moved on to transport containers. I knew I may discover clients who would need what I bought.

Generally my clients discover me. I keep in mind one time, one in all my gross sales guys was outdoors; he noticed a automobile pull up, and he virtually fell over—it was the Clinton household. Hillary, Invoice, and their daughter Chelsea had been transferring to a brand new home in Georgetown, they usually purchased a complete bunch of issues from me. One other time a line of SUVs and police automobiles pulled up, and it was First Woman Laura Bush, proper there in my barn!

WP: What do your clients usually need? What do you could have that they’re searching for?

GSBP: Effectively, I’ve quite a bit, however principally, I’ve an eye fixed for repurposing absolutely anything. Proper now, I’ve loads of industrial fixtures. Factories that shut promote lengthy wood work tables, manufacturing facility carts, and tables with iron legs. Most of this is able to be simply junk for an organization, they write it off as a loss, and it goes to the dump.

I can inform somebody how you can use a cart or a desk of their house. All the pieces can have a brand new life. Somebody may see simply an previous cart or a junky desk. I don’t promote junk; I promote real gadgets that give any house the suitable look.

WP: How did you determine the place to get the perfect gadgets and the perfect costs?

GSBP: Largely, I might meet folks, get speaking, after which community to search out stuff. I met somebody at a present from the UK, and we bought to speaking; the following factor I used to be on a aircraft to London to search for something I may discover. I checked out laundry dollies, baskets, and even flower pots. My spouse requested me for flower pots; she mentioned she favored them and will I convey some. I discovered some, however not three or 4. 1000’s of them; I known as her up and mentioned, “I discovered your flower pots, however there’s loads of them.” Her reply? “Purchase all of them!” At any time when I might meet folks, I’d discover out the place they had been from and study completely different locations to purchase merchandise.

WP: When do you know you wished to promote antiques full-time?

I used to be so busy touring round to search out gadgets and going to exhibits I knew I needed to have an precise location. I rented a barn and began happening shopping for journeys; wherever I heard of that had issues I’d need, I discovered a method to get there. Finally, I printed flyers with the tackle of my barn and my plans to open a retailer.

I got here again, my retailer hadn’t even opened but, and there have been stickers throughout my door about mail left; my cellphone message machine was stuffed with messages, and everybody wished to come back to my retailer to see what I had. That’s after I knew I had factor going.

Across the identical time, the journal Nation Dwelling discovered me at a present; they took a number of photos. A number of months later, the journal got here within the mail with a three-page unfold.

From then, it simply took off. I used to be flying everywhere in the world to search out gadgets. One in all my favourite locations to go was China. I might go into small villages with an interpreter and purchase these distinctive rice baskets. They’d know I used to be coming and knew I might purchase in bulk. I linked with folks worldwide, and it’s been the important thing to discovering the perfect gadgets; first, you must discover the perfect folks.

WP: What would you like our readers to learn about your online business?

GSPB: Get right here quickly. After so a few years doing this, I’m closing my retailer. I received’t be right here after the tip of October, so plan a fall journey. I’ve bought the constructing, and all the pieces has to go. No matter I don’t promote, I’m going to donate to Habitat For Humanity, and I’m hoping to coach their folks on what I’ve, to allow them to elevate the cash they want.

I wish to work with organizations that rescue animals—any animals, from elephants to horses or canine, no matter. I used to be in India after I noticed elephants chained up, and it bought me; it was so unhappy. I knew I had to assist them. So wherever there are endangered animals, I’ll go; I wish to work with organizations that may discover them properties and save them from abuse.

To take a look at what Paul has, go to his website for hours and instructions.

Brenda Kelley Kim lives within the Boston space. She is the writer of Sink or Swim: Tales From the Deep End of Everywhere and writes a weekly syndicated column for The Marblehead Weekly Information/Essex Media Group. When not writing or strolling her snorty pug Penny, she enjoys yard gross sales, flea markets, and badminton.

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