1993

In 1982 Bill Guche partnered to purchase a neighborhood plaza in Farmington, NY.  The building had 31,000 square feet and spaces for 15 stores.  Unfortunately, the plaza was 70% empty. It was a difficult task but he was diligent in filling the space. Bill decided to fill the space by creating businesses. 

The first was a Flea Market that was only open on weekends. It eventually expanded to a 7 days a week concept. In December of the first year Bill opened an antique shop storefront with only 12 dealers. 

Within a month he outgrew the space and moved the Antique Shop to a new space that housed 40 dealers. As adjacent space became available the Antique Shop expanded until it occupied half of the plaza. When the Flea Market left the Antique Emporium took over that space. Suddenly, the plaza was a destination for antiques.  After a few years the Antique Emporium built its own site adjacent to the plaza. The Antique Shop took over her space – now occupying 100% of the plaza – and changed its name to Ontario Mall Antiques.Other big changes included improved floor designs and antique dealer displays. 

He initiated successful staff training and promotional events. Ontario Mall Antiques flourished guided by Bill’s firm belief in and commitment to customer service, clean facilities and product value.Bill was proud to see those concepts and traditions being carried on by his son Matthew Guche, who has taken over the business since 2012.

Bill could not and would not stand still so on January 2, 2016 he opened our second mall in the town of Irondequoit – 17,000 square feet of more antiques and collectibles that you love! Hundreds of more cases, open booths and dealers with thousands of more opportunities to find furniture, gifts, décor & more.

In Memoriam

On October 7, 2017, Bill Guche, founder of Ontario Mall Antiques, passed away at 79 years of age after his battle with cancer. His vision for Ontario Mall Antiques culminated in the largest antique mall in New York State. Organized, neat and well lit – extraordinary since much smaller and more manageable antique shops were quite the opposite. Success was built based on the efficiencies he created as well as his hard work and diligence on a daily basis. When he would have a conversation with someone the topic usually included a story related to Albania, his nationality. Proud as he was being Albanian he was much prouder being an American citizen. A veteran of the US Army he also had a vision for our country as well – as usual with politics many agreed and disagreed. No disagreement though for his love of country. Husband, father,grandfather, entrepreneur – fine attributes for his legacy and building blocks for his next life.

2012 to Present with Matt Guche

It all began in the 70s in Fairport, New York almost two scores ago, when my brother and I collected sports cards (mostly baseball and football) and traded with our friends. 

We placed the cards carefully in plastic pouches (putting the cards in the spokes of a bicycle wheel was a major taboo) to maintain their condition. During this time I had an operation and had to stay overnight in the hospital. I brought my sports cards with me in shoeboxes and kept them on the bed with me at all times. I remember waking up in the wee hours of the morning to find my cards on the floor. The nurse saw me getting up to retrieve them and yelled to get back in bed. I plotted then and there to stay up until she left to rescue my valuable cards, even risking additional painful needle shots as retaliation! As my brother and I got older we eventually lost interest in our collections, and somewhere along the way the cards were misplaced in my parents’ basement, or in my brother’s house, or maybe they evaporated into thin air.

One score ago:

I graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a BA in Accounting and then from SUNY Buffalo with an MBA in Finance and Marketing. During interviews on campus I swore up and down that I would never work in New York City. However, I only received one offer and it was for a job in New York City…so I packed my bags! And I ended up loving the Big Apple.

Mid 2000s:

My Dad, Bill Guche, creator of the largest and greatest antique mall in New York State, approached his kids about taking over the business in a matter of years. No one bit. I began my career as an auditor at Berdon LP for four years and ended at UBS in 2012 as the Americas Controller in the Finance Department in the Investment Bank. At the time I was enjoying the tri-state life and was being promoted up the ranks at UBS. No way did I want to partake in antiques – old and boring I thought. I would never do it. 

2011-2012:

I was getting a little burned out at UBS and my Dad approached me again. I checked out this mall in Farmington – and all I could say was, “wow”. Soo many items to choose from! Where was I when I purchased furniture for my little condo in Stamford? Obviously not here where I could have bought real wood furniture that would last much longer than particle board – and for less money! And, oh those sports card collections! We packed our bags and returned to my hometown – and I love it!

2016:

We opened our second mall in the town of Irondequoit on January 2, 2016 – 17,000 square feet of more antiques and collectibles that you love! Hundreds of more cases, open booths and dealers with hundreds of more opportunities to find furniture, gifts, décor & more.Presently: Over 25 years of celebrating antiques, gifts and furniture! Beginning with an antique shop store front of 12 dealers initiated by Bill Guche and growing to two locations (Farmington and Rochester) housing 1,000 dealers and becoming the largest antique mall in New York State now owned by Bill’s son, Matt Guche. Success created by our loyal customers and hardworking dealers. 

We’ve made some big changes inside and outside the mall but same great dealers, same fantastic merchandise such as furniture, gifts, décor & more and same friendly service from our malls. The torch has been handed down to me. I will continuously think of new ideas to improve our malls to keep our malls the best they can be for our customers, our dealers and our staff. 

Thanks for reading and please say hello the next time you are in Ontario Mall Antiques,

Matt Guche