TRR photo by Tom Kane Store owners Jaime Stankevicius, left, Diana Barriero, and Paul Hargrove look at a new crystal in their collection. (Click for larger image)

Damascus store weathers its first year

By TOM KANE

DAMASCUS, PA — Bridgewater Mercantile, a unique store that mixes the old with the new, carries traditional antiques of high quality, vintage items that are not so old and some other items that are quite new.

“We started out as an antique store but soon turned into more like a home design center,” said co-owner Jaime Stankevicius.

“For something to be an antique, it has to be at least 75 years old,” Stankevicius said. “Anything that is under that, but old nonetheless, is given the name vintage.”

The 200-year-old building on Route 371, close to the Delaware River bridge to Cochecton, is an historic building that once served as a post office and general store in Damascus.

“We have pottery from Tuscany, Italy, art work from Europe, pottery from America, primitive furniture also from America and crystal from Ireland, Germany, France and Poland,” Stankevicius said.

There are prints of ancient paintings from Venice and Rome and new accessories like linens, pillows, stemware, tablecloths and soaps, creams and lotions from the south of France.

Stankevicius’ partners are Diana Barriero and Paul Hargrove. All three live in New York City.

“We had a surprisingly good winter,” Stankevicius said. “Not in terms of numbers of people but value of sales. We’re happy about that.”

The store is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and by appointment.

“We may add some hours during the summer,” he said.

Bridgewater Mercantile can be reached by calling 570/224-0453.