A little bit about us...
Owners Dean and Diane Castellano have been collecting antiques for themselves for 15 years, then six years ago began finding and restoring antiques for others.
Driving around the country and rescuing treasures from barns, attics, basements and sometimes even the trash is more than just a hobby for the couple, it’s a passion. Until recently they had been selling their finds at antique shows, swap meets and local market events. Then finally, with their trailer nearly splitting at the seams the pair decided to jump in with both feet and set up shop.
Sticking with the rustic theme of a warehouse, they rented space in a commercial building in North Port Florida just minutes from their home. Vintage Finder’s Warehouse LLC opened its doors in September 2014 to the delight of many. Diane Castellano says the warm welcome and words of encouragement from locals has been wonderful, “Most everyone who walks through the door says it is wonderful to have a shop like this in town, there really isn't anything like this near by.”
“I have had some of the same customers for years,” says Dean Castellano. “Now instead of calling to see what I’ve got they come and hang out and find things they didn't even know they were looking for.”
Still they head out on the road, leaving the shop in good hands, to find new and wonderful things to line their shelves. The couple recently returned from a treasure hunt through the midwest. “Once an item is tossed in the trash it’s gone forever, so in a way we are trying to keep these treasures from the past alive,” says Diane. “With every piece there is a story, and so many memories. When someone comes in our shop and picks up a piece, it’s as if they're finding something they lost.
“It doesn't matter that it didn't really belong to them. The memory of one like it from their grandmother’s house is enough. They take it home and put it in their kitchen and in a way they get grandma back.”
Their shop is a perfect balance of antiques from kitchen to garage. Diane’s passion for Pyrex, antique dolls, linens and jewelry fill the front of the warehouse. Then walk into the back and find Dean working on everything from vintage oil and gas signs, warehouse carts, gas pumps, classic car parts to furniture.
They both take a liking to old doors and windows, antique jars, and everything in between. Having both once worked for the phone company, antique phones can be found on several tables and shelves.
“I truly enjoy coming to work everyday,” says Dean. “You never know who's going to walk in with a story about something you have. Just the other day a woman told us about how she was born on a drop leaf table like the one we have by the front door.”
The Castellanos want everyone to be able to afford to go home with a treasure they like and so have marked their antiques “priced to sell,” usually well below what they’re worth.
More important to the couple is their community. Having lived here for the past 13 years, they’re always looking for ways to give back. For this reason most weekends have a sale or discount for first responders, veterans or an event that gives proceeds to local charitable organizations.
Come out and meet Dean and Diane and find your treasures at Vintage Finder’s Warehouse LLC, 1075 Innovation Ave, Unit 106, North Port, FL 34289.
Thank you for stopping by, we hope to see you in the store soon!
Dean and Diane Castellano
www.vintagefinderwarehouse.com
DIRECTIONS:
Heading south from I-75 on North Toledo Blade Boulevard, turn right on Innovation Avenue and look for the VFW sign on your left. Heading north, turn left on Gateway Boulevard at the gas station, then turn right onto Commerce Parkway and take the first right onto Innovation Avenue.
Driving around the country and rescuing treasures from barns, attics, basements and sometimes even the trash is more than just a hobby for the couple, it’s a passion. Until recently they had been selling their finds at antique shows, swap meets and local market events. Then finally, with their trailer nearly splitting at the seams the pair decided to jump in with both feet and set up shop.
Sticking with the rustic theme of a warehouse, they rented space in a commercial building in North Port Florida just minutes from their home. Vintage Finder’s Warehouse LLC opened its doors in September 2014 to the delight of many. Diane Castellano says the warm welcome and words of encouragement from locals has been wonderful, “Most everyone who walks through the door says it is wonderful to have a shop like this in town, there really isn't anything like this near by.”
“I have had some of the same customers for years,” says Dean Castellano. “Now instead of calling to see what I’ve got they come and hang out and find things they didn't even know they were looking for.”
Still they head out on the road, leaving the shop in good hands, to find new and wonderful things to line their shelves. The couple recently returned from a treasure hunt through the midwest. “Once an item is tossed in the trash it’s gone forever, so in a way we are trying to keep these treasures from the past alive,” says Diane. “With every piece there is a story, and so many memories. When someone comes in our shop and picks up a piece, it’s as if they're finding something they lost.
“It doesn't matter that it didn't really belong to them. The memory of one like it from their grandmother’s house is enough. They take it home and put it in their kitchen and in a way they get grandma back.”
Their shop is a perfect balance of antiques from kitchen to garage. Diane’s passion for Pyrex, antique dolls, linens and jewelry fill the front of the warehouse. Then walk into the back and find Dean working on everything from vintage oil and gas signs, warehouse carts, gas pumps, classic car parts to furniture.
They both take a liking to old doors and windows, antique jars, and everything in between. Having both once worked for the phone company, antique phones can be found on several tables and shelves.
“I truly enjoy coming to work everyday,” says Dean. “You never know who's going to walk in with a story about something you have. Just the other day a woman told us about how she was born on a drop leaf table like the one we have by the front door.”
The Castellanos want everyone to be able to afford to go home with a treasure they like and so have marked their antiques “priced to sell,” usually well below what they’re worth.
More important to the couple is their community. Having lived here for the past 13 years, they’re always looking for ways to give back. For this reason most weekends have a sale or discount for first responders, veterans or an event that gives proceeds to local charitable organizations.
Come out and meet Dean and Diane and find your treasures at Vintage Finder’s Warehouse LLC, 1075 Innovation Ave, Unit 106, North Port, FL 34289.
Thank you for stopping by, we hope to see you in the store soon!
Dean and Diane Castellano
www.vintagefinderwarehouse.com
DIRECTIONS:
Heading south from I-75 on North Toledo Blade Boulevard, turn right on Innovation Avenue and look for the VFW sign on your left. Heading north, turn left on Gateway Boulevard at the gas station, then turn right onto Commerce Parkway and take the first right onto Innovation Avenue.