The art of selling: Local shop brings unique arts to Saratoga

There is a little something for everyone in the shop with the “Antique’s n Junque” sign hanging at the door.

Once inside, you will discover jewelry of all styles, coat hangers, jeans, hats, used books, old Wyoming license plates, antiques and much more.

At first glance one may recognize the shop as a typical antique shop, but that is not the case. According to the owners, Jamie and Ray Bernal, their shop, Strong Tower Design located on Bridge Street next to Platte River Pizza and Sweet Marie’s Bakeshop, is a place for everyone to enjoy.

“We buy one-of-a-kind things, so (our customers) can’t just come back the next week and expect to see the same thing,” Ray said. “We are always trying to have new and exciting things for them at a reasonable price.”

Strong Tower Design is purposefully filled with a wide range of objects to fit everyone’s need, Ray said.

For some, experiencing the shop can be somewhat overwhelming.

“You have to walk around this place four times to take everything in,” said Carol Bitting, of St. Louis, who found herself wandering the shop for a sixth time Aug. 8.

Ray and Jamie opened the shop in May, but they started doing business 20 years ago on the go.

The couple started off doing business by collecting and making items, then selling them at various craft shows across the United States. It wasn’t until recently they decided to open a shop.

“When we were doing the fairs people would ask us if we had a store, and we always said no. We decided that would be a great idea so we made one,” Jamie said.

Jamie and Ray may have been in business together for 20 years, but Ray said he can’t remember a time when he wasn’t selling unique items.

“I grew up going to the markets as a kid,” he said. “My parents had two different antique stores and grew up doing this type of business.”

When Jamie married Ray and got started, she found the experience enjoyable, she said.

Jamie said an interesting part of the job is finding items for buyers in search of specific items.

Ray and Jamie said they often go on buying trips, usually in the four corners area of the United States, to find custom-made jewelry and other unique items in surrounding shops.

Ray said the buying game is an art form in itself, but one need only look up in his shop and see Ray’s other passion.

The ceiling is dotted with custom chandeliers made with antlers. The shop also features other antler-art pieces like coat racks and coffee tables, custom made by Ray.

Ray started dabbling in antler art between 1996 and 1997 after a career in restoration.

Ray said his experience partially inspired him to get started with antler art.

“I have always loved wood working, so I started doing custom trims and custom pieces,” he said.

Ray said he still does restoration projects for customers, and features wood work in his shop, like custom mirrors, as well.

Ray said his interest in art, just like his business tactics, was inspired by his father.

His father, Ray Sr., makes custom Native American jewelry. Ray Jr. said he will often sell his father’s work in his shop.

You are so talented,” a wandering customer says as she takes a third lap around the shop, admiring Ray’s artwork.

Ray said his art is highly appreciated by customers.

“I have yet to hear any negative comments on our store,” he said. “Everyone comes in and sees the artistic value of things.”

But his own artwork is not necessarily the primary focus of Strong Tower Designs, Ray said. Every customer sees something different when exploring the items within the shop.

“We don’t want to be known just for antiques, we don’t want to be known just as the antler guy, we don’t want to be known as just the silver guy. We want to be known as an all-around shop that has something nice to offer everyone,” Ray said.

 

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