Ravenna – Do you remember how old you were when you found your passion? That moment when you fell in love with whatever it was that just made your heart light up with joy. Nancy Shaffer, the owner of Copper Kettle Antiques and Collectibles, can pin-point childhood memories when she fell in love with antiques and the stories they can reveal.
Nancy grew up on a Shalersville mink farm in the 1960s that her father, Paul, managed. (Yes, you read that correctly — mink. The animal.) She has farming in her background and enjoyed collecting what are called primitives, baskets, old farm type items and horse collectibles.
“The thing that started it all was my Gidu’s (Grandfather) barrister bookcase,” she said. “He lived with us when I was a kid. He was Lebanese and spoke no English.” In his bedroom he had old Arabic books lined up on that case and “I fell in love with old books.”
She jokingly explained most antique dealers get their start with their collections. They collect so much eventually they must start selling. Nancy started selling in 1994 as a vendor with a booth at an antique store in Garrettsville. But self-employment runs in her family; her mother, Mamie, operated a pizza parlor in Hiram. Nancy’s brothers are self-employed as are her children. So, in 1995 Nancy and her husband Brian purchased a three-story 10,000 square foot building in Ravenna.
Located at 115 East Main Street the Copper Kettle building (and it comes as no surprise) also has historical significance. Originally built in 1850 as the Fairchild furniture company it was later Montigney Hardware for about 60 years. Signs for both prior businesses can be seen on the side and back brick walls of the Copper Kettle.
At the time when Nancy opened, there were 10 or 12 other antique shops in Ravenna; that’s why she thought this was a good place to open. “It was a mecca for antiquers,” she explained of commerce in the area over the years. The Copper Kettle has a sturdy foundation in Nancy because she just celebrated her 25th year in business.
To see how Nancy interacts with customers it is no surprise that her business has been able to last through the ups and downs. She will say how beautiful the blue pot you are purchasing is and how it could be used as a planter or as a wall decoration. Knowledge about which company created your piece naturally pours out as her hands expertly wrap a package and ring up items. Then with the sound of a crank and the ding of a bell from the 1917 brass cash register she sends you on your way with your new piece of history.
The Copper Kettle is open Monday-Saturday from 10am-5pm. You can call 330-296-8708 or visit the www.CopperKettleAntiques.com for information. It can be found on Facebook under Copper Kettle Antiques Mall.
