Conversations with Joseph Crawford

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Crawford.

Hi Joseph, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Our family has a rich Colorado history. We grew up hearing stories about how our Grandma came to Colorado from Springfield, Missouri in a covered wagon as a little girl with her family. Our Great-Grandfather, John Birchfield was a farmer who brought his family west and eventually farmed in Arvada and then Perry Park. Our Granddad’s relatives came to Denver in the 1880s from Sweden. They sought to mine and eventually some worked on the railroad. Our Mom was proud of her Colorado roots, and so are we. A love for history and antiques grew from these Colorado roots.

Every road trip, every vacation included trips to antique malls. There is something wondrous when memories are stirred, and we’re taken away to a different time, a different place. The stories each piece tells make me dream of simpler times.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some time ago, my brother Timmy approached me. He owned a building and had recently closed a business in the space. “I know what I want to do with the building, I want to open an antique mall, and I want you to run it!”

After soul searching and deliberating I decided the opportunity was unique and in fact a “once-in-a-lifetime” chance to be a part of a business from the ground up. Timmy had a dream, and we set about to bring it to life.

As we began to construct the space we invited dealers to sign up. We shared the plans for the space and painted a picture of what would be. Dealers caught on to the vision, and with our certificate of occupancy, they built out each space in a personal way, making each unique and special.

We opened for the first time on March 9th, 2020 but within seven days we were forced to close for Covid. After two months, we re-opened on May 12th with social distancing, mask mandates, and uncertainty.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As the General Manager for Old Crows Antiques, I’m responsible for the entire operation. We are a large mall with over 275 dealers and 45,000 sq. ft. on the showroom floor. Our staff support the dealers on a daily basis, showing items, opening cases, cleaning, cashiering, and securing our space.

We pride ourselves on being customer friendly, making customer service and dealer support our top priority. We also serve over 60 varieties of root beer in our Root Beer Bar (who doesn’t love root beer?)

I love serving people and interacting with customers, dealers, and employees on a daily basis. I also love antique and vintage everything!

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Trips to the mountains to stay with Grandma and Granddad at our family cabin above Georgetown we’re always special and memorable. Colorado and Denver were so different as a kid, and the trip up to the cabin was on windy mountain roads before I70 was built… that’s a story for another day, and yes, I remember that and more…

Contact Info:

• Email: info@oldcrowsantiques.com
• Website: www.oldcrowsantiques.com
• Instagram: oldcrowsantiques
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oldcrowsantiques