Meet Thommy Evans of Chic, Geek & Antique

Today we’d like to introduce you to Thommy Evans.

Thommy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve been buying and selling practically my whole life. In my early days, it was Comic Books and that progressed into buying and selling Junque (high-end Junk and Antiques). After years and years of it being my side gig, selling in other people’s antique malls and at flea markets and Antique shows as well as running Estate sales for other people and a small stint working at an auction house. Finally in 2014, I decided to quit my regular full time job and take the leap of faith and open my store. So I cashed out my 401k’s and took all of my personal collections (hoards) and opened my store.

Has it been a smooth road?
I don’t think it is possible for there to be a “smooth road” in this business. That’s part of what makes it so exciting. For starters, no one NEEDS an antique or collectible item, they want it. That makes for a rocky road ahead right off the bat. My sales go way up and way down depending on everything from weather to a bad political climate.

When people are worried about uncertain times, they tighten their belt and stop spending except on the essentials, you have to learn to live lean in this business. But it has its rewards too, I love the look on the face of someone who has found the exact Item they have been searching for for years, it’s a great feeling, matching the Collector to that treasured Item they want.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Well, we are an Antique and Collectibles business. We specialize in Comic Books and pop culture Collectibles, higher end costume Jewelry, Oddities and a general line of Antiques. We also have a separate store (with a partner) MCManiacs where we Specialize in Mid Century Modern Furnishings And home decor. So we really run the gauntlet of collectibles.

What really sets Chic, Geek & Antique apart is our eccentric sense of style from having a scuba diver swimming across our ceiling to our Fan favorite Pigmy Ceremonial Costume and postmortem photography we really don’t feel there is anything too ”bizarre” to great our customers at the door. One thing we hear every day from our customers is “where on earth did you find that?” It really makes me happy to jilt someone out of there sense of normalcy and to see them laugh about something they are now buying that they never imagined they would want our own.

We actively look for things for our store that most other Antique stores would shy away from carrying, it really leaves an impression on our customers. That’s why we recently voted one of the 3 best Antique & Thrift Stores In Will County (the only Antique store to win) because our customers love our Uniqueness.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
The Chicagoland area is a great place too have an antique business. In this area, Antique prices are some of the lowest in the country making it a great destination for “Travel Antiqueing” and a great place to get a great deal for the locals.

Again it is a rough road kind of business and defiantly not an easy one to make a living in, so it’s definitely not for just anyone. If someone wanted to start there own antique store, I would definitely recommend they spend some time selling in antique malls and at Antique shows. Build up a tough skin to criticism about pricing (everyone thinks there an expert) and hone your negotiating skills because this new generation of antique shopper is ruthless in negotiating you down till you are only making pennies on any sell.

Then when you have grown your tough skin, learned to live lean and yet you still can’t imagine doing anything else, then you are ready to open your own antique store. This is not a business to get rich in, it’s a business you love and in that you are rich.

Contact Info:

• Address: 222 N. Water St. Wilmington IL 60481
• Website: https://m.facebook.com/chicgeekantique/
• Phone: ‭(779) 875-3149‬
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/chicgeekantique/

Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.