Discover the Unexpected at Found

By Shannon R. Myers

Fall is the perfect time of year to take a leisurely drive through Central New York and enjoy the crisp air and brilliant foliage.  Add to that a quest for a long sought-after antique or unusual item, and you have ingredients for a fun day out!

If you are a collector or an admirer of antiques, vintage items, and unusual objects, or if you know someone who is, check out FOUND at 227 Cherry Street in Ithaca. You could find the perfect gift for your loved one’s birthday, relatives’ anniversary, a holiday gift for your best friend – or you could find the perfect item to add to your own collection.

A multi-dealer antiques marketplace comprised of 7,000 square feet and the involvement of just over 45 dealers, FOUND celebrated its 3rd year anniversary in August, 2013. FOUND’s dealers pride themselves on offering a diverse array of items. From Funky to formal, FOUND offers an array of antique and vintage furniture, artwork, jewelry, clothing and other curiosities. You can travel through different periods and styles including Primitive, Victorian, Arts & Crafts, Cottage, Art-Deco, Industrial, and Mid-Century Modern.

FOUND is owned and operated by three spousal partnerships and one individual partner:  Bill and Marnie Hastings, Dan and Ellen Quest, Sandy Cozzarin, and Debra Moree and Ken McKinney.

Before the idea of FOUND was conceived, the owners were all dealers in various stores in upstate New York.  “We all got together and brainstormed to see what we would do if we had our own shop,” said Bill Hastings. “We came up with this focus: clean, bright, and open, as opposed to dense, and dim. It took about six to eight months of brainstorming to find an appropriate place.”

When you walk through FOUND, you will see that its owners have achieved their goal. The interior is brightly lit and clean, with plenty of open space in the corridors. Each dealer’s wares are tastefully displayed in separate booths throughout the building. There is a decided lack of dimly shadowed clutter.

“Our merchandise frequently changes,” Bill said, “This is a place to keep coming back to; every day, dealers bring new items, so we like to reflect that. We have regulars that come in weekly, but we also have regulars who visit monthly. We like to provide a fresh experience for our regulars, so once a month things change around here dramatically.

“As you walk in the door, you will see our gallery to the left. The gallery features the art of a different regional artist every month. We also have what we call our ‘vignette’, which is also a space that is in view as you walk in.  We choose a theme or a period and we cull objects, furniture and arts and lighting from our different dealers to come up with a theme. So right now the theme that we have going on is from the late Victorian era.”

FOUND often holds sales and events throughout the year, including individual dealer’s sales, storewide sales, and other events, such as the “Found Flea”. The Found Flea is held the third Sunday of every month, May through October, with 50 vendors that participate.

Bill believes Ithaca has a lot of sensibilities that connect with recycling, upcycling, and reuse . . . and FOUND goes a long way to meet those sensibilities. “For example,” he says, “Many of the items at FOUND are made of solid wood.  It’s difficult to find solid wood furniture anymore, so you’re buying something that’s been around for a long time; it still has plenty of life and it’s made to last, so you will be able to use it for a long time. Sometimes buying antiques is more about value than about the idea that you’re buying an antique. You’re purchasing an item of quality that is useful, beautiful, and different. Most things in here are unique. This place is also a wonderful place to find ‘memory triggers’. People who come in might see an item and say ‘Hey, my mother had one of those.’ That sense of nostalgia or that connection with the past may drive people to buy certain things. “

FOUND, located at 227 Cherry St. is open Wednesdays through Mondays from 10 to 6, and is closed Tuesdays. If you have questions, you can call (607) 319-5078, visit FOUND’s website at foundinithaca.com, or e-mail info@foundinithaca.com. Discover the unexpected at FOUND in Ithaca!