SJM_CofC_profile_profile 6 / 23 / 22 3 : 25 PM Page 1 PROMOTION B U S I N E S S S P O T L I G H T it at our shop is the ultimate . ” Vendors feel like part of the family at Carnival of Collectables and appreciate the support they receive from the ownership team , including classes on how to improve Hidden Treasures their business . It’s no surprise that there is a waiting list that adds new names every day . With an impressive selection of art , antiques and collectables for “ We’ve had vendors who have gone on the entire family to enjoy , it’s no wonder why Carnival of to open their own store and that’s huge for us , ” Zahajkewycz says . “ We’re always thrilled Collectables has become a go - to destination . by MATT COSENTINO when that happens because it really feels like they graduated . We were like a stepping board , and Carnival of Collectables was stone for them to superstardom , and it’s outh Jersey has long been home to born about eight years ago . the best feeling . ” bustling shopping malls , quirky spe - “ It was really helpful that Loreli had the As female business owners , Zahajkewycz Scialty stores , classic antique shops experience of owning a store , so having her and Jankowski are especially proud to help and a wide range of flea markets . But be part of the team really helped give us other women find success . “ We have a lot until three local residents with a love for that boost of confidence that we were going of women who are vendors here and some art and everything vintage decided to to be able to make it , ” Zahajkewycz says . of them have actually moved on to open get together and turn their passion into “ My background is art , so when I saw that their own businesses , and that’s thrilling to a business , this area had never seen any - we could have booths featuring local artists us to support other people , ” Jankowski says . thing quite like Carnival of Collectables . alongside people selling antiques and col - “ They try it out , get their feet wet and realize Owned and operated by married couple lectables , that piqued my interest . We started they can do it , which is nice . ” Loreli and Ed Jankowski and their friend with that idea in mind — having antiques , Carnival of Collectables also enjoys the Ulana Zahajkewycz , Carnival of Collectables collectables and artists all under one roof — bonds it has built in the community , thanks is an antique and art mall i n Sicklerville and I think that makes us unique . ” to special events throughout the year , like boasting more than 130 vendors in a 12,000 - The concept has been a big hit with the recent Car - B - Que and the upcoming square - foot space . Specializing i n items customers of all ages , and it is common for Oddities Show in October . Each one has a from the early 1800s through the 1980s , the entire families to come in and wander the different theme and usually involves a shop has everything from top - sellers like aisles together . Around the holidays , parents fundraising component for a local charity mid - century modern furniture and vinyl have even been known to stop i n with or group . records to toys , jewelry , clothing , coins , tools Christmas lists that their children compiled Clearly , a strong foundation has been and much more . at Carnival of Collectables . Young adults built and the owners hope to continue have also become dedicated customers . bringing happiness to their customers for THE CARNIVAL OF COLLECTABLES TEAM “ It’s surprising having such a young years to come . After all , everybody loves a clientele , ” Loreli Jankowski says . “ There’s a carnival , and the name of the mall coined lot of people from their 20s who come in to by Zahajkewycz’s boyfriend back in 2013 shop and I love talking to them . Some just turned outto be prophetic . like the old stuff and some feel like it’s better “ We don’t know how he came up with for the environment to reuse old things it , it was just in his brain , but we all loved it , ” instead of buying new things , which is also Jankowski says . “ It was a great fit for us . ” cool . I think younger people have a good “ A lot of people told us they were so mindset . ” grateful that we opened up in the area , ” Zahajkewycz says Carnival of Collectables Zahajkewycz adds , “ because it’s their happy customers love to fill an entire rainy day at place and they’re so excited to have some - n the store , and Jankowski adds that visitors thing to do . ” come from as far as Philadelphia , New York and Delaware . Plenty of guests are there to browse and see what strikes their fancy , while others have a specific item in mind ; if it’s not there , the staff is more than willing to point them to another antique shop or flea market where they might have better OVERHEAD luck.Still , in more cases than not , customers VIEW After seeing similar stores on a trip to are likely to find whatever is on their list . North Carolina , Zahajkewycz was inspired “ That’s my favorite thing , uniting a cus - to bring one to her home state , and soon tomer with a treasure , especially if it’s some - Carnival of Collectables approached her friends about teaming up thing they had in their childhood and they’re 368Cross Keys Road , Suite B | Sicklerville together . Loreli had previously owned a vin - looking to find it again , ” Zahajkewycz says . ( 856 ) 545 - 3187 tage clothing shop in Philadelphia and Ed “ That’s really fun for us . People are on the CarnivalOfCollectables.com is an avid collector , so they quickly came on hunt for specific items , and for them to find SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 19 issue 3 SouthJerseyMagazine.com 24 |