Meet Your Merchant - Antiques on Talbot

Name Of Business: Antiques on Talbot

Location:  211 N. Talbot Street, St Michaels, MD 21663

Website: www.antiquesontalbot.com

Phone number: 410-745-5208

Hours of operation:
April- Dec 10am-5pm daily

Jan-Mar Sun/Mon/Thurs 10am-4pm,
Fri/Sat 10am-5pm (closed Tues/Wed)

Who are the owners?   
Carol Krasnowiecki, Mary Harrison, Carol Burke- partners/LLC

Step inside Antiques on Talbot
for treasures waiting

How and why you started your business? 
Each of us had been in the business prior to our current venture, which we began in May 2008. Prior to this opening, we were most recently together in another nearby location in town and also individually in other locations both in and out of St Michaels. Mary Harrison and her late husband had also built a reputation and following by participating in local antique shows.

What do you sell/make/do?   The three partners are joined by five other antiques dealers offering a variety of antiques and collectibles, ranging from oyster plates/cans, decoys, nautical, old tools, sterling silver, china, glassware, artwork, jewelry, lighting, furniture, books, quilts, linens, rugs and other unique items of interest. We like to say that we have everything from “Chippendale to Cannon Balls!”

Antiques on Talbot, open year round

Where is your business located and why did you choose your location?  
We are located on Talbot Street at the far end of town, on the same side as and just before the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. We are known for having a blue canoe out front around which we decorate seasonally. We actually have people taking pictures in front of our canoe and have won a prize in the annual Waterfowl Festival outdoor decoration contest two years running. We chose our location because the size and interior configuration of the space met our needs and the exterior provided parking for our customers. This encourages local full and part-time residents to drop by and become regular customers in addition to our ever changing tourist population.

New finds every week at
Antiques on Talbot

 What strategy do you use to draw people to your establishment?   In addition to being members of the St Michael’s Business Association and appearing in the annual tourist guide, we advertise in local publications, distribute our rack cards widely and have participated in developing a flyer/map in conjunction with other antique shops on the Eastern Shore. We also participate in donations, contests and try to conduct business so as to establish our reputation for honesty, integrity and above and beyond service.

What is your strategies for growth in the next year?  Given that the number of antique shops in historic St Michaels has diminished greatly, we are looking at how the antique business overall has evolved and determining/reassessing what we need to do/supply to meet the needs/desires of our consumers. Just as in fashion and food and decorating, there are trends of popularity of antiques/collectible items as well and we strive to keep current and knowledgeable. We are always interested in meeting with other quality dealers who are like minded and might like to join us.

What is the best thing about running a business here?   Definitely, the people who walk through our doors and our returning customers. Visitors to St Michaels come from all areas of the globe and it is fascinating to learn how they discovered St Michaels, if they are enjoying their time in town and what they might collect or what catches their eye. The town itself provides a fantastic get away and the restaurants, B & Bs and inns all help to enhance the overall experience.