Photography by Elizabeth Lavin
In fall 2014, John Robert Clark Antiques opened its doors in the Design District. Clark has always had a passion for antiques, and he’s played various roles in the business for two decades, at one point working as a private broker for high-end clients. In the current phase, his focus is on French Empire and Neoclassical pieces, many of which he gets from his network of dealers and sales around the world.
Of course, part of what makes these pieces so alluring is their historical significance, and educating customers is of the utmost importance to Clark. He happily enlightens visitors to the store about the origins of each piece and plans to feature educational lectures on the shop’s website. Clark also expects to introduce more modern pieces to the in-store selection as well as candles and jewelry, but antiques will remain its core offering in part because of the excitement they provide Clark.
“People ask me, ‘What’d you do today, J.C.?’” he says. “I say, ‘Let’s see now… I think I’ve been around the world once, twice, maybe three times.’”