To step into Le’ Gent Antiques is to step into another time. The shop is full of objects from the past: a 1920s-era airplane ashtray next to an elegant Victorian Davenport writing desk, beneath a portrait painting from the 18th century. All of it points to a bygone time of curved, polished wood and metal.
The owner, Masoud “Martin” Asvadi, loved antiques even before he emigrated from Iran to Canada in 2000. “I believe antiques always have a life and art, matching each other. It’s different from the new furniture. I feel it doesn’t have a life.” The next year, he opened his store on Main Street, and moved to the present location in 2003. During this time he learned a great deal about North American antiques, to supplement his extensive knowledge of European items.
Martin enjoys sharing his love of antiques with others. And while a small part of his business is renting props to movie and TV production companies, the majority is sales to people who want items for their homes. Working to help them find just what they are looking for, he hopes to create “a great memory for me and my customer.”
