Collectibles store opens in Ocean Shores

By SCOTT D. JOHNSTON

Robin and Clyde Mack, from the Yakima suburb of Union Gap, became Ocean Shores property owners four years ago. Two years ago, they became Ocean Shores residents. Last week they became part of the Ocean Shores/North Beach business community with the opening of Treasures by the Beach at 877 Pt. Brown Ave. NE.

That’s actually an unusually slow pace for these veterans of more than 20 years in the business of antiques and collectibles, restorations and repairs, buying and reselling. In this case, they started looking for a retail location in Ocean Shores at the end of May and signed a lease on June 9. Opening Day was less than three weeks later, on June 27.

After 18 years, they sold their former business, Gap Treasures, “and figured, ‘Why not? Let’s move to the beach! We love it there,” Clyde recalled. “Our five-year plan was to dabble in antique malls, and we were in two, then one closed.” For the past two years, they’ve been set up in Past & Present Mercantile in Aberdeen.

They’ve also had booths at the Renewed Antique Show in the Ocean Shores Convention Center, enjoying notable success at the latter. “It’s crazy, but people from the Antique Shows remember us as the one who had the big green tags,” Robin said, pointing to a big green tag on a vintage lamp.

She has a very good eye and is a skilled buyer. “Her being artistic as she is, that’s great,” Clyde said. However, “in the last two years, I’ve been buying at a higher rate than I sell at,” she grinned. “I have a problem…”

Then again, the couple seems to have it worked out. “I do a lot of repairs, painting, crafty stuff,” she explained. She “kind of dabbled all the time” when they first met at Clyde’s second-hand shop. After all the years, “It’s what we love to do,” she said with a smile. Clyde said most of the stock in their new store has been bought in the last few months, and they have quite a bit waiting for open space.

He understands, “this is not a ‘need’ shop; this is a ‘want’ shop,” and enjoys working with people and even some friendly banter.

A big part of the business is buying the good stuff for resale. “We’re always buying antiques, collectibles, good quality gold and silver,” he said. “Call us anytime and we’ll arrange to go see what you’ve got.” They also buy estates and run estate sales.

The store is open Wednesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. “That allows us to have days off to go buy stuff and play,” he said. The couple can be reached by phone at 509-961-5420, and via the Clyde Mack Facebook page.