Christian is a walking Wikipedia! He can narrate the historical context for everything in his shop like a true storyteller. His journey in the antique industry began in his 20s when he got hooked on the history of art while helping his father. “My dad collected a lot of Japanese art, so I would research and learn more about it,” he said, reflecting on his early days.
Recalling his fascination with antiques, Christian shared an enchanting memory: “I once came across an estate that was like a time capsule. It was filled to the brim with artworks, books, and artefacts spanning from the 1860s to the 1980s. Exploring the collection felt like stepping into different eras of American history, witnessing the social and political changes that shaped our nation!”
When asked about his business strategies, he explained that trust is incredibly important, especially for brokers like himself. He believes in being transparent and honest with his clients, acknowledging the challenges that arise when all the prices are available online.
“There’s an honesty issue with the Internet because everyone can see the price. The Internet has changed how things go. You can’t buy it for $100 and sell it for $1,000. People always ask me when they sell their stuff: did I sell it for too cheap? They feel a little hollow inside. So I sell it for them on a commission basis. I’ll take a photo of it, put it online, and let customers get in touch directly.”
While antiques retain their value by staying the same, businesses have to adapt to stay fresh and contemporary. “Rent has been staggering! I’ve coped by moving online for 7 to 8 years now. It’s changing so much. Businesses need to embrace social media or risk failure. We’re not about to return to the abacus anytime soon!”
Instagram has been invaluable for connecting with customers. “I’ll be at an estate taking photos of things people want to sell, and before I even leave, there’ll be messages from buyers!”
He offers simple advice for business owners: “To improve at business, keep doing it and get better at it!”
The owners of Milk & Ice, a vintage clothes boutique, have partnered with Christian at a new location. They explain: “Christian has outgrown this space, the store is eating him up!”
They found that their collections complement each other well, and the collaboration has brought a fresh synergy to their trades, curating a space where diverse relics from the past come together harmoniously.
Christian loves to share fascinating stories about the eclectic items in his shop, ranging from Marvel May comic books to Civil War blood-letting instruments and vintage band posters. “I can talk about it endlessly because I like it. It’s not just a job. I genuinely love history.”
You’ll want to check out the rest of the cool stuff that Christian curates– the collection is constantly changing! Look for “Sturgis Antiques” on Facebook and Instagram, or go directly to his website!
Shopkeeper Stories 
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