March 16, 2018 at 4:58 p.m.
Salvaging architecture
Jay Co. native’s store keeps growing
Salvaging architecture
This isn’t your grandfather’s home improvement store.
Then again, there’s a good chance your grandfather would recognize some of the inventory.
The store is Pasadena Architectural Salvage, and it’s been making a name for itself nationally thanks to repeated exposure on the DIY Network program “Restored.”
Owned by Jay County native and Portland High School graduate Gayle (Williams) Stoner, the shop is a virtual treasure trove of bits and bobs and doors and doorknobs salvaged from historic structures and ready to be put back into service.
“Our inventory is pretty massive,” Stoner said in recent email interview. “At any one time, we probably have more than 500 doors in stock. Right now we have about 400 stained glass and leaded glass windows, probably about 300 to 400 lighting fixtures, one of the largest collections of vintage plumbing in the country, enough hardware to outfit a couple of small cities, casement windows, columns, mantels, bathroom accessories, built-in cabinets, and of course the other bits and bobs from old water pumps to midcentury furniture.”
And that inventory keeps growing all the time.
“When we hear of a house or a building coming down, we go check it out, see what we want, make a bid and then hopefully go get the stuff,” said Stoner. “We also buy items from customers who are remodeling or making changes to their own homes. … We never know what (or who) might walk through the door on any given day with something great to sell.”
Architectural salvage isn’t a business anyone plans to get into; it just happens.
In Stoner’s case, she had been working as assistant manager of a Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Houston, Texas, and heard that a man named Cary Pasternak was the owner of a place called The Emporium Architectural Antiques and had a reputation as a great guy to work for.
Then again, there’s a good chance your grandfather would recognize some of the inventory.
The store is Pasadena Architectural Salvage, and it’s been making a name for itself nationally thanks to repeated exposure on the DIY Network program “Restored.”
Owned by Jay County native and Portland High School graduate Gayle (Williams) Stoner, the shop is a virtual treasure trove of bits and bobs and doors and doorknobs salvaged from historic structures and ready to be put back into service.
“Our inventory is pretty massive,” Stoner said in recent email interview. “At any one time, we probably have more than 500 doors in stock. Right now we have about 400 stained glass and leaded glass windows, probably about 300 to 400 lighting fixtures, one of the largest collections of vintage plumbing in the country, enough hardware to outfit a couple of small cities, casement windows, columns, mantels, bathroom accessories, built-in cabinets, and of course the other bits and bobs from old water pumps to midcentury furniture.”
And that inventory keeps growing all the time.
“When we hear of a house or a building coming down, we go check it out, see what we want, make a bid and then hopefully go get the stuff,” said Stoner. “We also buy items from customers who are remodeling or making changes to their own homes. … We never know what (or who) might walk through the door on any given day with something great to sell.”
Architectural salvage isn’t a business anyone plans to get into; it just happens.
In Stoner’s case, she had been working as assistant manager of a Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Houston, Texas, and heard that a man named Cary Pasternak was the owner of a place called The Emporium Architectural Antiques and had a reputation as a great guy to work for.
That was back in 1997, but in the early 2000s Pasternak started making more and more frequent trips to California. In 2005, he decided to move the business to Pasadena and asked Stoner to come along as manager.
It was a big leap, but the timing was perfect. Stoner was just coming off a divorce, and she immediately fell in love with Pasadena.
“Cary was a huge fan of Arts and Crafts design and architecture from the beginning,” Stoner said. “There actually is a big Craftsman following in Houston, so we were always known for that.”
And Pasadena has always been known for Craftsman Style and Arts and Crafts as well.
“It is hard to live in the city of the Gamble House and not be in love with Arts and Crafts,” said Stoner, referring to the iconic Craftsman Style mansion designed for the Gamble family of Procter & Gamble.
Designed by Greene and Greene, the house is preserved as a monument to Craftsman Style and is open to the public as a museum.
“I learned about Craftsman architecture and style from Cary, and I have developed an even bigger respect for it out here,” said Stoner.
In 2008, Stoner faced another leap of faith.
Pasternak’s death left the store’s future in doubt.
Gayle’s husband, Tom Jenkins, encouraged her to make a bid for the business herself, she recalled.
“I was skeptical, I guess of my ability to pull it off on my own,” she said, “but he talked me into it.”
It was a big leap, but the timing was perfect. Stoner was just coming off a divorce, and she immediately fell in love with Pasadena.
“Cary was a huge fan of Arts and Crafts design and architecture from the beginning,” Stoner said. “There actually is a big Craftsman following in Houston, so we were always known for that.”
And Pasadena has always been known for Craftsman Style and Arts and Crafts as well.
“It is hard to live in the city of the Gamble House and not be in love with Arts and Crafts,” said Stoner, referring to the iconic Craftsman Style mansion designed for the Gamble family of Procter & Gamble.
Designed by Greene and Greene, the house is preserved as a monument to Craftsman Style and is open to the public as a museum.
“I learned about Craftsman architecture and style from Cary, and I have developed an even bigger respect for it out here,” said Stoner.
In 2008, Stoner faced another leap of faith.
Pasternak’s death left the store’s future in doubt.
Gayle’s husband, Tom Jenkins, encouraged her to make a bid for the business herself, she recalled.
“I was skeptical, I guess of my ability to pull it off on my own,” she said, “but he talked me into it.”
Stoner formed a partnership with Chris Shackelford, another employee at Pasadena Architectural Salvage, also from Texas, and the two bought the business from the Pasternak family.
Originally, the focus was almost solely Arts and Crafts era items. But that has changed over time.
“We try to stay current with what is popular here, so because there is such a great amount of Spanish and Mexican influence, we do carry a lot of that style as well,” she said.
Today, inventory also includes items made or built in the 1950s.
“Our main focus has been on architectural items from the turn of the century through the ’30s, but we are attempting to move that timeline forward a bit,” Stoner said.
The business has also grown through acquisition.
Last year, the store acquired the inventory of its next-door neighbor, Architectural Detail, which focused on 1900 to 1950 plumbing fixtures. Then it added the stained glass and ironworks inventory from another salvage company and the inventory of a 101-year-old hardware store.
“Our business has nearly doubled since April of last year, and I think our inventory right now is probably pushing the $5 million retail mark,” said Stoner.
Much of their business comes from contractors and folks restoring old homes, but they also deal with several historical architects.
And because the business is so close to Los Angeles, the store has also developed strong ties with the television and movie business.
“We supplied nearly all of the hardware for the show ‘Mad Men,’” said Stoner.
Lately, traffic at the store has been given a boost by the popularity of “Restored” on DIY Network. Brett Waterman, whose show focuses on the restoration of historic houses in California, has been a customer of Pasadena Architectural Salvage since 2010.
“We met him shortly after he had purchased Liberace’s former home in Palm Springs and was going to restore it,” said Stoner. “He has been what we refer to as ‘a regular’ for a long time. He has restored several houses in the LA area and always had a project in the works even before his show.”
Waterman has frequently featured the Pasadena store on the show as he looks for specific items needed for a restoration.
“He is a special client for us,” Stoner said.
As a result, the profile of the business has been raised. These days there are visitors to the shop who want a first-hand look at what they saw on TV.
“This business is both fun and satisfying,” said Stoner. “There’s something wonderful about being connected to the past in this way, through seeing it and being in it every day. Nothing is more beautiful than an old brass doorknob worn down to that warm, glowing patina by years of hands turning it.”
Originally, the focus was almost solely Arts and Crafts era items. But that has changed over time.
“We try to stay current with what is popular here, so because there is such a great amount of Spanish and Mexican influence, we do carry a lot of that style as well,” she said.
Today, inventory also includes items made or built in the 1950s.
“Our main focus has been on architectural items from the turn of the century through the ’30s, but we are attempting to move that timeline forward a bit,” Stoner said.
The business has also grown through acquisition.
Last year, the store acquired the inventory of its next-door neighbor, Architectural Detail, which focused on 1900 to 1950 plumbing fixtures. Then it added the stained glass and ironworks inventory from another salvage company and the inventory of a 101-year-old hardware store.
“Our business has nearly doubled since April of last year, and I think our inventory right now is probably pushing the $5 million retail mark,” said Stoner.
Much of their business comes from contractors and folks restoring old homes, but they also deal with several historical architects.
And because the business is so close to Los Angeles, the store has also developed strong ties with the television and movie business.
“We supplied nearly all of the hardware for the show ‘Mad Men,’” said Stoner.
Lately, traffic at the store has been given a boost by the popularity of “Restored” on DIY Network. Brett Waterman, whose show focuses on the restoration of historic houses in California, has been a customer of Pasadena Architectural Salvage since 2010.
“We met him shortly after he had purchased Liberace’s former home in Palm Springs and was going to restore it,” said Stoner. “He has been what we refer to as ‘a regular’ for a long time. He has restored several houses in the LA area and always had a project in the works even before his show.”
Waterman has frequently featured the Pasadena store on the show as he looks for specific items needed for a restoration.
“He is a special client for us,” Stoner said.
As a result, the profile of the business has been raised. These days there are visitors to the shop who want a first-hand look at what they saw on TV.
“This business is both fun and satisfying,” said Stoner. “There’s something wonderful about being connected to the past in this way, through seeing it and being in it every day. Nothing is more beautiful than an old brass doorknob worn down to that warm, glowing patina by years of hands turning it.”
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD