But the store has become a victim of the poor economy, and now, the owner is holding a going-out-of-business sale.
"It's very hard," John Christaldi says of his decision to close the store his uncle opened in 1957. "It's a great business. But the economy, the last four or five years, has really been bad and I think it's just time to quit."
Christaldi took over the business from his uncle Albert Maranca in 1985. He says if he didn't own the building, he would've been forced to close several years back.
He has a new tenant ready to move in. So, he's cut prices on everything 60 percent.
"I'm taking a loss on most of the stuff. But it's better for me to sell it than to move it and store it," Christaldi says. "So, I will not refuse any sensible offer."
An English chest that was $1200 is now $480. A bronze inkwell that was $250 is now priced at $100.
You can buy a pair of bronze and porcelain monkey candlesticks for $640. A banquet-sized dining table that was $6900 is now selling for less than $3000.
And even a14-foot tall bronze Gloria Victis statue is also for sale. "It's a one-of-a-kind piece, Christaldi explains. "It was $35,000 and I reduced it to 30, and now, it's $15,000."
If the statue doesn't sell, Christaldi says he hopes to donate it to a hospital or war memorial for display.
During the sale, the store's open from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. every day. But Christaldi lives over the store and says he's happy to schedule evening appointments for serious buyers.
The store is located at the corner of 11th and Pine streets. The phone number is 215-925-8909.
