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Name: Classic Antiques

Type of business: A store where the general public or dealers can buy and sell antiques

Address: 225 North Ave., Garwood

Telephone: (908) 233-7667

Number of employees: Four

Founded: 20 years ago

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Top Officer: Richard Yorkowitz, owner; Judy Yorkowitz, manager.

How would you describe your business?

"In our 10,000-square-foot handicapped accessible showroom on North Ave. Garwood, we buy and sell antiques, including high-end furniture, oil paintings, Oriental rugs, china, crystal, sterling silver, old books, linens, old toys, estate jewelry, figurines, lighting, gold, and other collectables. We will purchase or sell one item or the entire contents of a home," said Ruth Yorkowitz, manager. "We also do appraisals and conduct estate sales."

What makes your business special?

"We are the largest self-owned antique business in the state. This isn't a co-op.

"What makes us special is the quality of our inventory. We offer high-end items -- not flea market type items. And our turnover is great. We also have outside accessories for the garden and patio. "We will also appraise an item free if the customer comes into our store with it, but it must be brought into the store. Otherwise, there is a charge."

What goals do you have for the business?

"Our goal is to stay current and provide items that customers want. The economy changes our goals all the time, as well as people's tastes change. What used to be in demand five years ago no longer is. So we have to keep up with demand almost monthly. For instance, we had 15 dining room sets at one time and that wasn't enough. Now people don't want dining room sets. This isn't a museum. Things don't sit here forever. It's supply and demand -- whatever the current trend is that is what we have."

How has your business changed?

"Until recently we had four locations. We have retained two, including the store in Garwood and our store in Lambertville called The People's Store on the corner of Church and York. With the death of my husband and the retirement of an employee, we lost valuable, knowledgeable people who are difficult to replace. So we sold the building containing The Attic in Westfield and ended our location in Sealson's Department Store in Summit."

What was your most important deal?

"The most important deal was opening the store over 20 years ago. My husband and I owned as deli business, which also employed my son. When my husband and I decided to retire, my son said 'Now I will open an antique store, and you will work for me'. From the time he was 7 years old, and used his allowance to buy me an antique mirror for Mother's Day, he has been interested in antiques. So at the age of 20 he started this business. He learned what he needed from other antique dealers and going to auctions."

What changes do you expect in the next 10 years?

"We take two or three years at a time. It's impossible to predict what will happen in the next 10 years. The taste of people is changing almost monthly. It's almost constant change. We find kids today don't want grandma's memories. They want Pottery Barn, not what their grandma used because it's not dishwasher safe. What used to be collectible to them is chazerai."

What is the most important thing you've learned in your business?

"Patience. You need patience with the public."

What advice would you give to someone considering your line of work?

"This may be retail, but you don't have the convenience of buying inventory from a catalog. It's harder. You have to have the knowledge of antiques and what is the market for the item might be. Then you need to find the items, and the search takes time and energy. And once the item is sold you have to start again. It's hard work. To stay with it, you must have the passion for it. You have to know what you are doing before you go into this business."

Is there anything else you would rather be doing?

"No. This is the most fun in my whole life. This is constant fun -- constant new stuff coming in. There is something new going on every day. You never know what the day will bring."