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At first glance, it seems incongruous — an antiques shop in an airport.
On second look, it starts to make a lot of sense. And Alton Brecker has looked long and hard at it.
“Think of it — nearly 2 million passengers come through our airport every year,” said Brecker, a veteran retailer and owner of Wright Square Antique Mall in downtown Savannah. “And research indicates the average passenger spends from one to two hours at the airport.
“It’s a natural — I hope.”
Brecker signed a lease with the Savannah Airport Commission earlier this month to open Flyby Vintage in Savannah Square, the main shopping area in the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.
He is hoping for a soft opening in early May.
“It will be very much like its sister store downtown, selling vintage, antique and collectible items from more than 30 local dealers,” he said.
Like the items he sells, Brecker’s concept is unique.
“From my research, I believe this will be the first store of its kind selling vintage and antique merchandise in an airport,” he said. “The closest I found was Powell’s, a store in the Portland airport that sells only vintage books.”
And like his store on State Street, Flyby Vintage will feature at least as many vintage items as antiques.
While an antique is at least 100 years old, vintage is used more often to describe a representative item from a specific time period, as in “vintage 1950s.” It can, but doesn’t have to be more than 100 years old.
“When you say vintage, you’re talking more about memories,” he said. “People come in the store and recognize something from their grandparents’ era. It invokes a sense of nostalgia for the time.”
With less than 1,000 square feet to work with, Brecker’s airport store will feature mostly smaller items.
“You’d be surprised what we can fit into 815 square feet and still create artful displays,” he said. “And, with a fluid inventory, things will always be moving in and out.”
Brecker previously owned the Hilton Decker clothing store on Wright Square and is a longtime retailer, having owned stores across the country.
“I have been in the retail business more than 35 years,” he said. “With Wright Square Antique Mall, we worked hard to make it an inviting, attractive space and will do the same with Flyby Vintage.”
The location of this new store — just beyond the escalators on the airport’s second level — has great “line of sight,” he said.
“We’re designing displays to appeal to the person who has only five minutes to shop, as well as for someone with time to browse.”
With a post office on site, shipping should be no problem, he said, adding he doesn’t want to make money on shipping.
“I’ll keep a variety of USPS boxes available, or customers can take their purchases directly to the post office.”
Airport officials, including those from the Transportation Security Administration, have been helpful and accommodating, Brecker said.
“As for TSA, we are working with them and being careful to avoid anything that might be a problem.
“You’ll find no antique pocket knives at this shop,” he said.