Holly Gross Group
What’s better than a dedicated, knowledgeable realtor to sell your property or help you buy your next home? How about six who work as a team, bringing a range of talents and maximum availability. That’s what clients get from Holly Gross Group.
About 30 years ago, longtime Chester County resident and former teacher Holly Gross started a new career in real estate. Twelve years ago, husband Dick joined her to handle marketing. Holly describes the current team as “a great group of real estate professionals who can help you find the right condo, townhouse or dream house.” The team includes a former steeplechase champion and other equestrians, which explains their special niche with equestrian and country properties.
When asked what keeps her going, Holly explains, “It’s a fun business. In fact, it’s the dream fulfillment business. We try to keep people starry-eyed through the whole process. If we can do that, it’s pretty special.” 610-429-2266.
The Antique Store in Wayne
When asked how she got into the business, AnnMarie Palumbo-Parks said she “came from a family of antique dealers [both parents and two siblings] . . . and got a jeweler’s loupe at age nine.” Now she owns a 6000-square-foot store, with over 50 dealers (all personally vetted) — a big step from the Berwyn shop started in 1985.
Concerned with the loss of knowledge when dealers leave the business, AnnMarie has a mission to educate people about antiques, most recently through a Main Line School Night course. But on any day, informal tutorials are available if you just walk in to talk with an expert there.
Antiques as a green option attract 20-somethings to the store, says AnnMarie, who calls antiques “the original recyclables” — pieces are passed down through generations. That’s one reason couples sign up on the bridal registry. And the cycle is complete when years later during the down-sizing phase, those same pieces come back to be traded for smaller versions. 610-681-1900.
Matlack Florist
Jennifer Matlack “was just an English major looking for a 3-credit course at U Delaware” when she took Floral Arranging. Serendipity next directed her past a greenhouse on Route 352 near her West Chester home. Her future husband ran the numbers, quit his job at IBM and helped start Matlack Florist over 30 years ago.
Now every day “brings new opportunities to be creative,” says Jen. With sophisticated clients looking for unique designs, and floral trends always evolving, Jen has found her niche. The cycle of seasons, holidays, births and deaths keep her business life renewed. Who else gets to design flowers for a goat funeral?
Lately, Jen says “the Name Game” brings new visitors to the store. If your name appears on the outside ad board, come in for a free rose. Kids give their roses to their moms. And a big truck rolled up last month so Dave could get his rose.
Check for your name, too. 610-431-3077.
Oley Valley Reproductions
The fine 18th-century American furniture reproductions for sale in Oley Valley Reproduction’s showroom feel familiar to the owner. That’s because the designs are based on his family’s extensive collection of American antique furniture. Instead of working from pictures, Oley Valley’s talented craftspeople copy original antiques, which sets apart both the design and the finish of the furniture.
Featured in Early American Life magazine for over 20 years, the showroom displays a variety of tables, chairs, chests, kitchen and bath items, and the currently popular antique cupboards for flat screen TVs. Customers can choose traditional designs or bring their own ideas, even a photograph, to be customized by size, color and material.
In the case of a grandmother who didn’t want to disappoint her grandchildren, they duplicated a table so all four kids could share the family history. The reproductions were so accurate, even the craftsmen couldn’t identify the original without looking at the bottom! That’s craftsmanship. 610-689-5885.