Today we’d like to introduce you to Elaine Drinkwater.
Elaine, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Growing up just outside of Boston I learned at an early age that people always seemed to toss great items. So back in the day, it was known as barrel picking. Today, it’s just “Picking”. My how times have changed.
My earliest memory of finding a “Treasure in the Trash” was a Galliano Bottle on a brass stand. Man I thought that was the coolest thing I had ever seen. So across my 10 year legs it went as I bicycled home to show my Dad. Now the bottle was about 3 foot tall and the stand about a foot. So picture this little blonde haired child, riding a bike too big for her – with a liquor bottle straddled across her legs….must have been a sight!
Anyway, that began my love of antiques and anything with a story. After working a Corporate life for almost 30 years, I took a giant leap of faith and started my own small business. Vintage View is a passion for me. I get to unearth treasured items every day. Digging through an Attic, Basement or Cellar to me is the biggest thrill. I also love helping people. I get to assist folks with the downsizing of their homes, or an inherited home or just assist those empty nesters trying to figure out what to do with “all this stuff”. Looking for and finding Unique, Antique, Mantique, (Antiques for Men) and Vintage items is my life. I truly get a thrill when I find an item that has been tucked away for years upon years, and I get to find it, buy it, clean it, present it and sell it to a new owner who is going to Love it again.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I guess relatively speaking it has been a smooth road. If you bring a quality product to the public for a reasonable price they will respond. My business model from the start has always been to bring great priced Vintage and Antique items, in bulk, for Customers and other Shop Owners who, like me, look for unique items. As a young woman I would go antiquing and could never buy anything because of the prices. So my goal was to bring quality antique and vintage items to the masses.
Fortunately, I am located in one of the best areas for “picking” as Haverhill was established in 1640 as “Pentucket”, Haverhill was incorporated as a city in 1870.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Vintage View is a woman-owned business that specializes in bringing lovely Antique and Vintage items back to the public. When digging through an Attic, Basement or Cellar I love finding something that has been hidden away for years and give it “new life”.
It always amazes me what kind of items I will find in some of these old home. Or better an old creeky barn. Man I love stepping back in time like that.
What I am most proud of as a company is that we ‘Provide a Solution’ by assisting folks with the downsizing of an Estate, Family Home, or just folks who are ‘downsizing’ with years of memories and treasures and not a clue as to how to begin. So we help by sharing information, offering knowledge, appraisals of certain items, where to donate, etc. We can consign, buy and Estate Sale for you. Just know there are options.
What sets us apart from other ‘like’ business in the area, is that the Dealers and Consignors here at Vintage View know I am very picky – they look for those unique and unusual items that no one else seems to be able to find. I have been told before that “you have some of the coolest items I’ve ever seen”. That makes me Proud!
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was a Tom Boy. Played all the sports, broke a lot of bones….rough housing with my brothers and sisters. I am one of seven, so there was always someone to play with, bother, annoy or just hang out with.
My interests were varied. But most of all I loved riding around my neighborhood on trash day and finding treasures.
Pricing:
- $1 – $100
Contact Info:
- Address: 371 River Street, Rt. 110
Haverhill, MA 01832 - Phone: 978-891-5667
- Email: vintageviewinc@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VintageViewInc/?timeline_context_item_type=intro_card_work&timeline_context_item_source=100000238886618
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
