Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
GREENE – Oprah Winfrey, Barbra Streisand, Whoopie Goldberg, Bette Midler, Steve Martin and Bobby Short were all customers of Lew Alessio or Jim Shaffer doing antiques shows over many decades across the U.S., owning or working for several antiques companies.
“We were living out of suitcases,” Alessio said, “starched shirts and suits at night, jeans and tee shirts by day, driving a 20-foot box truck of inventory to the next city.”
Setting up displays in hundreds of venues from Maine to California was a nomadic way of life for the two for many years. Now they lead a bit more stationary life. “We loved doing the shows, meeting people, famous or not, and seeing the country,” offered Jim. “Now we enjoy quiet rural living, buying and selling.”
Their business, P & G Antiques, is based in Greene. Over the years, the two have made friends with hundreds of dealers who sell just about anything you see on “Antiques Roadshow.”
“Actually we know several of the appraisers on the show personally, and many of the auctioneers in Maine and New Hampshire,” said Shaffer. “And so came the slogan, ‘If we don’t buy it, we know someone who might.'”
P & G specializes in buying estate and individual antiques and vintage, pre-1950 items from furniture to old signs, lighting, garden and small items.
“We find that a lot of people are downsizing,” Alessio said. “We enjoy helping them find a buyer and sometimes it’s us. We have very little overhead, so many times we can offer more than other antiques dealers. We know we’re trustworthy. Heck, I’ve lived in this same old 18th-century farmhouse in Greene for nearly half a century, so people pretty well know where to find me!”
“The antiques business has changed tremendously from when we started,” said Shaffer. “Many things have gone down drastically in value. We know. We’ve lost our shirts on many things we bought over the years. Happily some things have gone up. We are confident we can pay fair value or know someone who can.”
The company can be reached by phone at 946-5049 or email at plentyandgrace@aol.com.
