DATE: Friday, April 18, 1997                TAG: 9704160140

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: K8   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   79 lines

BEACH WOMEN ENJOY SELLING ANTIQUES AT AFFORDABLE PRICES

When Glenda Elkins fell in love with a cedar chest, she never dreamed it would lead to opening an antique shop.

Elkins, 44, and Deanna Opdyke, 35, are the owners of Ms. Gawdys' Antiques & Furniture shop.

An 1830s golden oak bureau, an art-deco dresser, a Queen Anne-styled vanity and a walnut armoire are just a few of the many treasures the Virginia Beach women have in their shop. Prices range from $65 to about $300 per piece.

``Our goal is to provide quality antiques and solid-wood furniture at an affordable price,'' said Elkins. ``And we will work out a payment plan with a buyer who finds a treasure they have to work into their budget.''

The partners said Ms. Gawdys' was born because of one frustrating shopping venture.

Last year, Elkins, a nursing student at Norfolk State University, was poking around an antique shop when she discovered a $350 chest. But although she bid on it several times, the owner refused to negotiate.

``The chest was a real prize but not worth the amount he was asking,'' Elkins said. ``I left heartsick and depressed because I really wanted it.''

The next day, Elkins and Opdyke decided they would check out a local auction, and this time Elkins got lucky. She left the proud owner of a cherry antique chest for $50.

The friends began talking about the mark-up and the market for quality, used furniture. They spent several weekends at auctions, estate sales, and they talked to shoppers and store owners.

Elkins said she had painted, stained and stripped enough furniture over the years to recognize oak, pine, cherry and mahogany and to value the craftsmanship of solid wood and veneered pieces.

``Then we started collecting, and it snowballed,'' Opdyke said. ``We purchased dressers, chests, vanities, tables, buffets and armoires at moderate prices and restored them to their original beauty.''

Opdyke said when there was no place to put another piece in their Virginia Beach home, they knew it was time to venture into the market place. Their first collection, placed in consignment shops, sold quickly.

``Then we just took a deep breath and made the move to our own shop,'' Elkins said.

She dropped out of nursing school to run the store, and Opdyke, who is employed full time in Virginia Beach, works in the shop nights and weekends.

They often work late into the night or early in the morning to clean up their finds and get the newest pieces ready to sell. Beneath years and layers of stain, paint or varnish, they sometimes make great discoveries.

They once found a mahogany dining room table under several coats of green paint. On another occasion, they purchased a very ugly table, chairs and buffet, said Elkins. After several months work, they realized it was a valuable teakwood set.

They have also sponge-painted some pieces that were beyond restoration. One painted armoire sold within an hour of arriving in the shop.

``We keep a varied selection of furniture,'' Elkins said. ``And we already have many repeat customers, like one who bought a table and chairs, and later came back for the buffet. And several customers return as they add one piece at a time to their own collections.''

The storekeepers point to dove-tailed drawers, an indication of early 1800s construction, and discuss various styles like Hepplewhite, Duncan Phyfe or Sheraton with curious browsers. They also offer speciality shopping. Upon request, Opdyke and Elkins will search for a particular piece like a Victorian tea cart or marble-topped table for a customer.

Recently, Elkins and Opdyke celebrated the first anniversary of Ms. Gawdys', and they are talking about expanding to a second location.

``But no matter what we find or do, we will keep our prices affordable,'' Opdyke said. ``We take our purchase price and figure in our restoration cost and time to arrive at the sales price.'' MEMO: The shop is in the process of moving from Chesapeake to its new

location at 3535 Airline Blvd. in Portsmouth. The phone number is

488-6442. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY KNAPP

Deanna Opdyke, left, and Glenda Elkins own and operate Ms. Gawdys'

Antiques & Furniture shop, located - for now - in the 1001 Mart on

Canal Drive in Chesapeake. Prices range from $65 to about $300 per

piece.

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