Treasure hunters of all kinds are likely to find something that interests them at 1.21 GW Antiques & More (408 E. Blackjack) because the collection was started from the love of the Bielstein family.
Brian Bielstein traces the family’s collection of vintage items and antiques to moving into a large six-bedroom Victorian home in Weatherford from a much smaller space.
“It was a massive change,” Brian said. “We had to figure out how to furnish a home that large.”
“We had one piece of furniture for each room,” his mother, Anna Bielstein, said.
The family started looking into collections and periods picking up items that spoke to them and filling the large home with a bevy of personal finds— until life changed the plans.
David and Anna had to make the move to South Texas and much of their collection went into storage, filling several lockers.
Brian was working in construction and noticed a disheartening trend in modern buildings, furniture and items. “The quality of everything is going down so much,” he said. “I was realizing that all across the board, craftsmanship is lost, and there are less people that are true tradesmen.”
This shoddy workmanship stood in contrast to the quality the Bielsteins had sitting behind storage doors. “I would love to bring that interest and quality of work back,” said Brian. “I would love to see it catch on with younger generation.”
Brian spoke to his parents about the large storage costs over time, and eventually thought it might be good to present the collection of curated finds to potential buyers.
It took some convincing because the Bielsteins admit to being raised in a family of ‘hoarders.’ Anna remembers being
Anna remembers being raised with the mantra, “You never know when you’re going to need that.” However, Anna found
However, Anna found it exciting that the things they worked for could end up working for them and as store owners, the Bielsteins, can keep on the lookout for quality vintage items and antiques to show off in their store front. (They also pay extra attention to what customers are most interested in for future finds.)
“I absolutely love when someone walks in the door and says, ‘my mom used to have something like that,’” Anna said. “You see memories [in items like these]. It’s time for these to go on to someone to make new memories.”
Brian and his girlfriend, Shawna, also work on salvaging quality items that need a little TLC so they can get a new lease on life.
The family initially looked at a location in Forney, but when that fell through, they discovered Dublin and Brad Stanford and the Dublin EDC got them excited about the Dublin community and the potential for growth coming to the area.
Brian said they try to keep different collections around, and customers can expect to find dishes, glassware (depression, milk, uranium and more), porcelain miniatures, furniture, books, wall art vintage technology and more. They also stock an array of collectibles like beanie babies, Pokemon cards and baseball cards.
Visitors will likely notice the character of the Bielsteins in some of the items they have available. Their humor is even evident in the business’ name-1.21 Gigawatt Antiques. Movie fans will likely recognize it as the wattage quoted by Christopher Lloyd in “Back to the Future.”
“If I could get a hold of a phone booth [like in “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure”] or a Delorean to put in here, I would be a happy man,” Brian said.
In addition to their variety of antiques, vintage items and collectibles, the store also has CBD items like bath bombs and suckers from the local Remedy Wellness.
The store is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
For more information visit gigawattantiques.com or call (254) 434-4242.
‘If I could get a hold of a phone booth [like in “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure”] or a Delorean to put in here, I would be a happy man.’ Brian Bielstein, with 1.21 GW Antiques & more