Grand Opening of Broadway Ange on 8/17/19 Mayor Fred Henry (far right) and Councilwoman Zusette Dato (second right), friends and family celebrate the ribbon cutting.

Click on photos above to enlarge

Broadway Ange, 124 South Broadway, South Amboy, NJ 08879; Open: Mon.-Sat.: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

By: Carolyn Maxwell

SOUTH AMBOY – Broadway Ange is the latest business to recently open in South Amboy. The co-owners of this unique antique and décor shop are Renee Banks and Julia Wyrzuc. The Instagram Page is @broadwayange124. 

I recently got a chance to talk to the owners. Renee Banks said she also had a shop at Winterhill Antiques located in Scotch Plains, and Summit Antiques in Summit, and another store “Pieces of Time” in West Orange. 

As a little girl, Julia was always fascinated with antiques and would always play with old china sets placed on antique linen. Renee said that she and Julia’s mother, who is an actress were best friends.

The shop also specializes in painting furniture and has online sales of any of their pieces. Not only that, but they did the painting and some of the carpentry work in the store itself. 

Renee Banks lives in Linden, and I was curious how she found out about the vacant storefront in South Amboy. She explained that her father (who recently passed away – Retired Detective Sonny DePeyster) was a patient at Venetian Care & Rehabilitation Center and she would constantly drive through Broadway when she would visit him. She was looking for a place to open up another antique store, and that particular spot caught her eye. 

Banks explained, “In January of this year is when I noticed the sign in the window, and I contacted the landlord. We acquired the property in July. We also specialized in doing estate sales. I remember at the age of 8 being fascinated with antiques. My first purchase at that age was an old doorknob.”

Julia then chimed in and remembered that she herself used to have tea parties at the age of 4.

When I first walked into Broadway Ange, I felt as if I was walking into a Norman Rockwell painting. It was very calm, relaxing, and inviting which is a reflection of the owners. There is something in this shop for all age groups and for all different kinds of tastes. There is a place for everything, and everything in it has its place. You really have to take your time to look at every nook and cranny because there is always something new to be discovered. I remember going from the front to the back. As I was walking back to the front, there was some things that I discovered that I missed on the first trip. There was one item that caught my eye which unfortunately is not my size. It was a green, yellow, and white tweed suit. The outfit is timeless, well-constructed, and could be worn today. 

This shop brought back memories of when I was growing up, especially some of the furniture. My Mother’s vanity set would have been right at home  here. I could remember my mother sitting on the cushion seat looking in the mirror as she combed her hair and applied her lipstick. Furniture and clothing was built to last, and that’s why they are called “antiques” and “vintage” – not like some of the throwaway material of today.

I think this shop is well suited and what is needed in South Amboy. I’ll say one thing. Renee and Julia share the same interest in antiques and vintage  items. They both share a passion for preserving the beauty of the past and bringing it into the future. They invite all to see what they have to offer, even if it’s just to browse. Don’t be surprised if you walk away with a piece of history, (memories, and material).