I recently had the pleasure to sit down and have a conversation with Frances, who some might recognise from her recent appearance on RTE’s Today Show. Others will recognise her from the charming shop Mourne Antiques & Jewellery along the Main Street. During our chat we dust off stories from the past, explored issues of the present, and peeked into the future of the world of antiques. So, let’s see what’s new in Letterkenny’s favourite Antique Shop
How did you get into the antique business?
My mother. She started the business forty years ago this year. She would come over to London and visit me when I lived there, and we would go buying together and I often would help her buy things. When she unfortunately passed away, I thought I would give it a go.
A lot of shops are passed down through families, why do you think that is?
It’s not an easy thing to do, it’s so hard to have stock to begin with, and of course you need a place to sell. So, to open a store from scratch without stock would initially be quite difficult because it is a collecting business.
Any advice for somebody wanting to start?
You’ve got to love your items! Like our customers, it’s what we do; and it’s what we like to do. That’s the main thing, but it’s not a sweet shop, although I do love my sweets! You must love every item that you pick up, because otherwise how are YOU supposed to sell it?
Is there any item here that you would never part with?
Well, I have great difficulty letting my birds in cages go. I bought them years ago and they’ve always been hiding away in the back of the shop. I have three of them now, and I do find it hard to put them out in the shop so people can see them. And I’ve had them on The Today Show recently!
How did the RTE producers get in contact with you?
I received a phone call from an RTE producer, and my first thought was it was probably a scam Ha ha! But she was fantastic, and told me somebody had recommended me, and she had combed through my social media, and websites, and asked me if I wanted to appear. I thought, when would I get an opportunity like that again? I can’t let that go! So, from there I had a months’ notice to choose items.
What was that process like selecting those Items for The Today Show?
It really wasn’t too difficult, because they wanted something with social history, and it was a great theme to go with. But I had to look at my items in a completely different way, what stories they told. I wanted items that could still be used or were used for a particular reason. It really made the show interesting.
What’s that like? Lights, Camera, Action?
Well, I had to drive down to RTE Cork studios to begin with, and I was scheduled to appear at 3:30PM but I didn’t get on until almost 5:30PM! But it really wasn’t too hard, I think it helped having somebody on screen asking questions. And the items were interesting enough that I wasn’t going to run out of things to say about them.
What’s the online side of the business like?
It’s got a lot more difficult because of the price of shipping now. Customs and duties to Britain and all the rest, it made it much trickier. It was much easier before; you knew the price of what a weight was going to cost. Now it changes all the time, you used to be on top of it.
How have you seen things change in the antique industry and do you think it’s for the better?
No, I don’t think it has for the better.
I often hear people say, “ah, I bought such-and-such thing on an internet site” and they received it and it’s not what they expected. Now, they never seem to post anything back Ha ha! that’s the amazing thing. But no, there’s nothing to beat coming in and touching, feeling, and seeing the item that you want to spend your days with. You can see it in people’s eyes when they come in, what they are drawn too. There’s just nothing quite like the in store experience!
How to do you balance your personal passion for collecting and realities of running a business?
It’s tricky.
Because sometimes we just love an item too much! We might have to buy it when we haven’t got the money. I don’t know how I’ve managed it, but I’ve somehow managed for 35 years. But you do keep your margins in mind.
What’s your businesses approach to sustainability?
That’s easy!
Basically, I have the most sustainable business there is! In the fact that everything I sell is being reused and I love it from that point of view. My items have changed hands likely many times through the years, generations even. And they’ve stood the test of time, in great condition I might add.
Just one more thing...
One City?
Venice
One Book?
Tricky, normally the last one I’ve read.
One piece of Art?
I have a lot of favourites, but it’s the Mona Lisa.
One Museum
The Salvador Dali Museum
One Antique Fair?
I would have to say the Letterkenny Community Centre, wouldn’t I?
One Flower?
Gerbera
One Colour?
Yellow
One Song?
Somebody to Love, Geroge Michael & Queen
One gift card?
Has to be ShopLK!
