Shop Talk: Old Gristmill Antiques and Collectibles

Shop Talk

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May 22, 2010

Shop Talk: Old Gristmill Antiques and Collectibles

Old Gristmill Antiques and Collectibles 2832 State Route 28, Portlandville Founded: April 2009 Owners: Nick and Sue Sanna Employees: 3

Anonymous Daily Star The Daily Star Mon Jun 14, 2010, 08:48 AM EDT

Shop Talk is a weekly column featuring locally owned and operated businesses. This week, we talk to Nick Sanna of Old Gristmill Antiques and Collectibles in Portlandville.

How long have you lived in the area?

We've lived up here for the last five years. My brother has owned a business here for the past 20 years. We moved from Long Island to move up here, and we've always been involved with antiques. This place was for sale, and we decided to go for it.

Tell me about your business.

It's a unique collection of antiques and rare collectibles and fun things to look at, and even buy.

How did you get started in this line of work?

We started by buying antiques for our home, and going to antique shops and seeing how amazing things were that people used 100 years ago. I was in construction all my life, and was getting too old and slow to climb up on roofs. It's easier and more rewarding to work on furniture. And Sue enjoys it also. She always has two cents to add.

What are some advantages and drawbacks to doing business in the area?

First of all, I moved up here because I love the area. I enjoy the slower pace, the country setting, the people. Down on Long Island, it's so fast-paced. It's a rat race. There's more people and more business there, but it's a more enjoyable life up here.

What sets you apart from your competitors?

We're friendly people who like to share information about antiques and collectibles. We like to talk to our customers and not only give information, but get information from them. We'll get something we don't know what it is, and someone will come in and tell us.

What have you learned from your work?

I've learned that I don't know everything. I'm a know-it-all, but I don't know everything. I've learned to listen to people and take advice from people who know more than I do. People will talk about the good old days a lot. And they were tough times. It's amazing how these people would till their farms with a horse and a plow. They worked hard.

Where do you see the business in five years?

I'm going to work on the building. It's probably the crookedest building in the county, but I don't have any intention of straightening it up. We're also going to add heat.

What's the most enjoyable part of owning your own business?

It's good to be king. It's good to be the boss, and be able to take time for yourself.

What advice would you give to someone trying to enter your field of work?

I would say do what you enjoy. If you enjoy being around antiques, working with antiques, owning antiques, then do it. And you have to be patient.

Shop Talk interviews are conducted by Cassandra Miller. To reach Miller, e-mail cmiller@thedailystar.com.