Beth Ann MillerThe Daily American
WINDBER ― Tom and Barb Krcha of Johnstown were surprised by the reactions they got earlier this year as they prepared to open Allegheny Mountain Antique Gallery & More at 5151 Clear Shade Drive.
The 12,000-square-foot building that sits along Route 56 east of Windber wasan antique store before, but it had beenclosed for some time. So, when passers-by saw a new pitched roof going up and a fresh coat of paint on the building, those updates and the sight of cars in the parking lot made drivers curious enough to stop, look in the windows and even knock on the door to find out what was going on.
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“We probably averaged six cars per day, at least, before we opened. We literally had to put up signs (to say what we were doing),” Tom Krcha said.
“They were so anxious for something to end up here,” Barb Krcha added. “There were more people anxious about us opening than being nosy. They wanted this to happen.”
'Leaving it in good hands'
The Krchas bought the building and its contents earlier this year from the previous owner, Anita Levi and her family. Levi and her daughter Jackie are nowamong the gallery’s 30vendors.
“In the negotiation process, they became very fond of us, very glad we were the ones taking it over,” Tom Krcha said. “We have similar interests that she did. She felt very glad, like she was leaving it in good hands.”
The Krchas’ daughter, Trista, and her boyfriend, Jake Polacek, worked for months around their college schedules to clean, paint and help get the gallery ready to open. Tom Krcha’s high school friend Bob Skamla was a big help, too, cleaning and helping out on weekdays at the gallery, Barb Krcha said.
Polacek said he’s enjoyed being part of the process, especially when he sees how people react to the work they have done.
“It’s the biggest compliment when people walk through the store or come to the register and Tom says, ‘What do you think?’ They say, ‘Wow, this place is amazing. I’m so happy you brought the store back,’” he said.
“To meet new people, to talk to people, to hear their stories, to listen to what they did for a living and what they collect and what they buy – it's awesome to hear different stories of people that are local.”
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Two levels, thousands of items for sale
Allegheny Mountain Antique Gallery & More opened on June 14 during Windber’s annual Miners Memorial Day weekend – and in the last two months, they’ve welcomed customers from at least 25 other states, some as far away as Texas, California and even Alaska. Many of those customers came to visit relatives, take in one of the local festivals or to do some sightseeing in the area.
“Some will say, ‘I passed it up, but I did a turn-around and came back. I’m so excited to see this place open again,’” Barb Krcha said.
Four large black and white signs on the outside of the building say Antique, Vintage, Modern and New, explaining that the business sells not only antiques (items 100 years old or more), but also mid-century modern items(dated from 1945-70), vintage items (25 years old or more) and brand-new items.
In fact, it might be easier to list what you won’t find there, because the 10,000-square-foot retail space has two levels and over 4,500 unique items for sale. From traditional to quirky – the gallery has a large selection of uranium glass made inthe early 1900s that glowsunder a black light – there is likely something to pique the interest of any customer or collector.
There are also new items, including unique craft items handmade by local artisans and home decor items, candles, jewelry pieces and more that the gallery sells through a partnership with Ganz, a national giftware company.
“We’re more than antiques and vintage, there’s something for everyone,” Tom Krcha said. “This is one of the largest vintage retail shops in the area, (there is) something for every age.
“We’re a family-owned business that wants to do good for the community around us and beyond.”
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'Getting the word out'
Tom Krcha handles the vendors’ inventory and retail sales, while Barb Krcha does research about theitems that are for sale and promotes vendor displays each week on the gallery’s Facebook page.
“I like to know the information on (the item)and help the customer know about it so they have the knowledge as well,” she said.
“Vendors love that we advertise for them. We’re trying to get the word out for our vendors and ourselves.”
They are also trying to get the word out about their contest to reach 1,000 followers on their Facebook page. To enter the drawing, people are invited to like, follow and share the gallery’s Facebook page, then make a purchase from the gallery and post a Google Review. When the galleryreaches itsgoal of 1,000 Facebook followers, one of those entrants will be selected in a random drawing to win three Yeti drinking cups.
Allegheny Mountain Antique Gallery & More is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The gallery is closed on Sunday and Monday.
Barb Krcha said they plan to extend the gallery’s operating hours in mid-October for the holiday shopping season; thosedetails will be posted ontheir Facebook page at that time.
Beth Ann Miller covers the communities of northern Somerset County for the Daily American. Send her story ideas to bethm@dailyamerican.com.
