Over the years, Karen Moses and Julie Hilland had made their way through several states shopping for antiques and collectables.
As neighbors who eventually became friends, the two enjoyed each others company and their shared interests in vintage items. That’s when Hilland had an idea. Why couldn’t the two of them open their own shop locally to cater to people with similar interests?
“There wasn’t a whole lot of thought that went into it,” said Moses. “We just decided we wanted to do it and so far it’s worked for us.”
They soon found a vacant location at the corner of New Scotland Road and Route 85A in Slingerlands. The shop started by just selling vintage women’s clothing and small housewares, until they had the opportunity to expand and ventured into furniture, linens and collectables.
“We were both just at a point in our lives where we wanted to make a change,” said Moses, who learned a lot from her parents growing up as avid antique collectors. “So we took a chance and opened up a shop hoping others would feel the same.”
Something Old, Something New has now been in business nearly 17 years. Moses and Hilland said their main goal is to provide the best quality merchandise for customers, over quantity. “Instead of getting bigger, we want to be better,” said Moses.
The pair agreed that consignment is an interesting business to be in since each shop is unique. Something Old, Something New is certainly not the only antique and collectables store in the area, but they are a little different in that they offer collectables, furniture, housewares and clothing. Many stores typically have just one specialty they stick to.
“Because of the business we’re in, we don’t think of other stores like competitors,” said Moses. “We do give referrals if we think a customer can find something they’re looking for somewhere else, and other stores do the same for us.”
The shop’s co-owners also do their best to stay active in the community.
Both women live in the area, and feel consignment is a recycling effort that many people forget about. Items that don’t sell, or consigners don’t want back are donated locally. Clothing and housewares are given to the Capital City Recuse Mission, Grass Roots Giver and the St. Peter’s Hospital Thrift Shop. Most expensive items are sometimes donated to local fundraisers, silent auctions hosted by area historical societies.
“Visit the shop if you haven’t,” said Moses. “We have a lot of variety and if anyone interested in consignment we can answer their questions. We can’t do one without the other, so we appreciate both aspects of the business, consignment and sales. We enjoy what we do at the shop and we put a lot of heart and soul into it because we love what we do.”
For more information, call 475-0663 or visit www.somethingoldenew.com.