About J&K Enterprises
Updated .
J&K Enterprises is a group of three stores in Madison, Georgia, that offer a variety of fine antiques and collectibles at a range of price points. Our goal is to offer something for everyone. Building J&K Enterprises has been a labor of love, and we’re proud of our success over the years, and our many loyal customers who keep us in business, and for whom we enjoy working.
Our History
Starting out in Milledgeville
In 1993 partners John Pisello and Keith Rex (the “J” and “K” in J&K Enterprises) decided to pursue our shared interest in antiques. The son of antique collectors and dealers, John grew up surrounded by antiques. Keith’s passion for antiques and collectibles grew out of a desire to reclaim lost items from his childhood. Together, we opened our first antique store, J&K Fleas An’Tiques, in Keith’s home town of Milledgeville, Georgia. Keith became the “face” of J&K—running the store, buying merchandise, and conducting several successful estate sales. With his phenomenal memory for facts about antiques and their values, and his uncanny sense of current and upcoming trends in collecting and decorating, Keith built the small antique store into a successful business and became a regionally recognized expert in antiques and collectibles.
Expansion in Rutledge
In 1996 we moved our home to Rutledge, Georgia—half-way between our store in Milledgeville and John’s job in Atlanta. At the time, Rutledge was a vibrant, historic hamlet of antique shops and artisans. As it was also located only a few miles from the major tourist town of Madison, we eventually decided to relocate J&K Fleas An’Tiques to Rutledge as well. In 1999 the new store opened next to Rutledge’s favorite restaurant, The Yesterday Café. When the lamp shop next door closed in 2001, we expanded into that space as well. Keith’s reputation in the business continued to grow.
In 2003 the owners of Rutledge’s largest antique mall decided to retire, and their building was purchased by a developer to be converted into office and residential space. Around the same time, another antique mall in town was closing. Worried about keeping Rutledge a destination for antique seekers, we decided to open a new antique mall in the building across the street from J&K, next to the railroad tracks. We called the new mall Trackside Treasures. With 30 dealers and a variety of merchandise, it was an instant hit.
Migration to Madison
Sadly the business climate in Rutledge continued to decline. By the end of 2006, with the landlord wanting to renovate the Trackside Treasures building, we decided it was time for another move—this time up the highway to Madison where, by luck, a well-established antique mall was going out of business. We jumped at the chance, rented the building, quickly renovated it, and officially opened J&K Fleas An’Tiques in Madison in March 2007. J&K in Rutledge continued to be open, but the focus of our business slowly moved more and more to the Madison operation.
By the end of 2007 it was clear that the Rutledge store was no longer a profitable location. We found a small kitchen store in Madison that was going out of business, and in June 2008 we closed our Rutledge location and opened J&K Antiques and Interiors, bringing in the best items from the Rutledge store, and focusing the new store on a smaller variety of merchandise. Our goal with the new store was to create a more intimate shopping experience. Angela Dull, the long-time manager of our Rutledge store, brought her knowledge and personal touch to the new store.
The economic crisis of 2008 hit us along with everyone else, but with our variety of merchandise at reasonable prices, our years in the business, and our many loyal customers, we were able to weather the storm. In fact we were getting so many requests to consign items for our customers that we started thinking there might be an opportunity there. By happenstance, the location right next to J&K Antiques and Interiors became available in mid-2009, so we took the plunge and opened Jefferson Street Consignments in September 2009.
Our Philosophy
Throughout our properties we strive to offer a wide variety of quality merchandise in a friendly and inviting atmosphere. We want our customers to feel welcome, and to know they are getting great advice and high value for their dollar. Our reputation is known throughout the region, and we have many return customers from as far away as California, Alaska, and even overseas. If you’re not yet one of our many satisfied customers, we invite you to see what we offer!