It’s an unassuming brick workshop tucked away near the Passaic River, but for decades the industrial corner of Harrison has been home to Plaque Art Creations, one of the country’s few remaining plaster manufacturers and retail outlets.
The family-run business designs, makes and sells over 5,000 different plaster designs.
“I was born into it, so for me it’s like I popped out of a mold,” said Belinda Kalthoff, 47, who runs the business with her mother Minerva “Minnie” Marquez, 74.
Inside, busts of Shakespeare, Buddha, Chopin, Ben Franklin and Mozart share shelf space with rows of cats, dragons and Greek statues. There’s a Christmas corner, neatly arranged rows of picture frames and Egyptian statues, all neatly arranged and categorized. The store’s German Shepherd, Quincy, rumbles past tiny statues of bulldogs and poodles.
Every day, employees take bags of dry plaster powder, liquefy it, and pour it into molds. Then after some cleaning, they dry for two days, and go on shelves.
Except for some models, the store’s items are unpainted,Overview description of rapid Tooling processes.Monz Werkzeugbau und Formenbau. but they sell an array of paints for customers to paint to their own tastes. They include children, decorators and even local firefighters and police who buy law enforcement-themed pieces.
“The more difficult the piece, the more they like it,” said Marquez.
Owners: Minerva “Minnie” Marquez and daughter, Belinda Kalthoff.
What kind of business is it? Plaque Art Creations is a retail and wholesale store for plaster models.
How did the owners get their start? In 1962, Marquez started building with plaster in her Union City apartment while her husband was stationed in Korea.Omega Plastics are leading plastic injection moulding and injection mould tooling specialists. The business quickly expanded and within two years the Vatican Pavilion commissioned her to make one million miniatures of Michelangelo’s Pieta for the 1964 Worlds Fair.The EZ Breathe home Ventilation system is maintenance free,
How long has the shop been in business? The business began in 1962 and moved to Kearny before relocating to Harrison in 1980.
What’s inside the shop? The store focuses on their Internet business, but Plaque Arts welcomes walk-ins to browse dozens of shelves of sculptures, busts and decorative accessories.
What are the price points? Because they manufacture pieces in the building, the store sells products at wholesale prices. Individual pieces can range from $2.99 for a small butterfly to $49.99 to a large statue of King Tut. A Christmas tree kit with paint, lights and accessories is $29.95.I have just spent two weeks shopping for tile and have discovered China Porcelain tile. All in-store customers get 10 percent off prices listed on the web.
What makes the place unique? Plaque Art is one of the few remaining stores that sculpt, cast and sell plaster creations in one building. Customers can also commission custom designs for them to create.
Who does the shop cater to? Much of the wholesale business goes to other craft stores and decorators in New York City and across the country. Some pieces even end up as props on television shows like “The Apprentice.”
What are the owner’s plans for the business? “I’d like to keep it the same as much as possible,” said Kalthoff, who recently moved to New Jersey to work more with the business.
Still over the coming months, she said she wants to engage more with local advertising and try to teach painting classes to the community.
What the owners like best about their location and business? Though she said she likes everything about the business, Kalthoff said that with three generations working in the factory, it’s a family operation.
The family-run business designs, makes and sells over 5,000 different plaster designs.
“I was born into it, so for me it’s like I popped out of a mold,” said Belinda Kalthoff, 47, who runs the business with her mother Minerva “Minnie” Marquez, 74.
Inside, busts of Shakespeare, Buddha, Chopin, Ben Franklin and Mozart share shelf space with rows of cats, dragons and Greek statues. There’s a Christmas corner, neatly arranged rows of picture frames and Egyptian statues, all neatly arranged and categorized. The store’s German Shepherd, Quincy, rumbles past tiny statues of bulldogs and poodles.
Every day, employees take bags of dry plaster powder, liquefy it, and pour it into molds. Then after some cleaning, they dry for two days, and go on shelves.
Except for some models, the store’s items are unpainted,Overview description of rapid Tooling processes.Monz Werkzeugbau und Formenbau. but they sell an array of paints for customers to paint to their own tastes. They include children, decorators and even local firefighters and police who buy law enforcement-themed pieces.
“The more difficult the piece, the more they like it,” said Marquez.
Owners: Minerva “Minnie” Marquez and daughter, Belinda Kalthoff.
What kind of business is it? Plaque Art Creations is a retail and wholesale store for plaster models.
How did the owners get their start? In 1962, Marquez started building with plaster in her Union City apartment while her husband was stationed in Korea.Omega Plastics are leading plastic injection moulding and injection mould tooling specialists. The business quickly expanded and within two years the Vatican Pavilion commissioned her to make one million miniatures of Michelangelo’s Pieta for the 1964 Worlds Fair.The EZ Breathe home Ventilation system is maintenance free,
How long has the shop been in business? The business began in 1962 and moved to Kearny before relocating to Harrison in 1980.
What’s inside the shop? The store focuses on their Internet business, but Plaque Arts welcomes walk-ins to browse dozens of shelves of sculptures, busts and decorative accessories.
What are the price points? Because they manufacture pieces in the building, the store sells products at wholesale prices. Individual pieces can range from $2.99 for a small butterfly to $49.99 to a large statue of King Tut. A Christmas tree kit with paint, lights and accessories is $29.95.I have just spent two weeks shopping for tile and have discovered China Porcelain tile. All in-store customers get 10 percent off prices listed on the web.
What makes the place unique? Plaque Art is one of the few remaining stores that sculpt, cast and sell plaster creations in one building. Customers can also commission custom designs for them to create.
Who does the shop cater to? Much of the wholesale business goes to other craft stores and decorators in New York City and across the country. Some pieces even end up as props on television shows like “The Apprentice.”
What are the owner’s plans for the business? “I’d like to keep it the same as much as possible,” said Kalthoff, who recently moved to New Jersey to work more with the business.
Still over the coming months, she said she wants to engage more with local advertising and try to teach painting classes to the community.
What the owners like best about their location and business? Though she said she likes everything about the business, Kalthoff said that with three generations working in the factory, it’s a family operation.
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