Another Man’s Treasure
Another Man’s Treasure
As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure; and Meika and Warren Franz sure have found the treasures to fill their downtown Jersey City vintage store, Another Man’s Treasure. Though the space isn’t huge, it’s brimming with a bounty of colorful goods. The store is a treat for the eyes, with the rainbow of clothing, shoes, jewelry, hats, bags, books, and records begging investigation.
Two years ago the couple started their business while both working other jobs. It began as a two-day a week enterprise from their original location on Brunswick St. Word of mouth spread about the store and it soon became a destination shop for those looking for unique, affordable clothes. They gradually expanded and now both work full time running all operations from their new location at 353 Grove St., the former location of Janum Tea, where they moved in April. As a recent Thursday visit proved, the store is still a destination for regular customers as well as an inviting find for people who happen to pass by.


Warren’s entry into vintage clothing began with music. He bought clothes from second hand stores to emulate certain styles made popular by musicians. He also realized that music is a good excuse to dress up.
When the couple moved to Jersey City three years ago both began working full time in fashion, Meika as a fashion buyer and Warren at a store in the East Village. As their own business expanded to three days a week and then gradually to more both cut back hours at their jobs. Now, as they focus all their energy on Another Man’s Treasure, they admit it’s more than a full time job. But it’s one, by all appearances, they couldn’t be happier about.
Their days are a collage of various activities, all of which are necessary for maintaining the store. They travel throughout the East Coast hand picking the items that make it into the store. While most of the items come from nearby, they always have their eyes open for just the right pieces. For example, on a trip to Belgium they found room in their suitcases to fit a few items they couldn’t pass up.

They search for items approximately three times a week with between 100 and 500 new pieces added to the store’s collection every week. Things move fast due to the affordable prices. Sometimes they search for clothes they know regular customers will like; they even have a request book to catalog specific items customers are looking for. Other times they look for certain styles to round out the store’s current collection.
They carry both women’s and men’s fashions and occasionally kids. The Franzes have noticed that kids are drawn to their brightly outfitted space in the same way that adults are. Kids generally gravitate to the $5 jewelry bin, which is the perfect level for them to rummage through. Often the pieces make perfect additions to dress up collections.


Sometimes the pieces the Franzes find for the store need a little TLC. Meika puts her seamstress background to work repairing and sprucing up. Both Meika and Warren love seeing beautiful clothes have a new lease on life. They also like that recycling the clothes is good for the environment. But what they love most is seeing people really happy when they find just the right item. They like when customers leave smiling, loving their purchase and knowing that nobody else will be wearing it.
According to Warren, Meika also has a knack for helping customers, as diverse as Jersey City itself, find just the pieces they’re looking for. Both familiar with all of the clothing and with a good eye for fitting, she can help locate the perfect piece. While many people think that all vintage clothing is small sizes, the Franzes say that’s a myth. Though it may take a little perusing since the clothing is arranged by color and not size, it comes in all sizes.
The shoppers on a recent Thursday evening seem more than content exploring the racks of clothes for themselves, though. Two friends pull pieces, exclaiming about the treasures they’ve uncovered. Shopping here is like going through a wonderfully unique closet. As 8 p.m. rolls around and the last shoppers head out, Meika and Warren close for the night, and get ready to do it all over again tomorrow.
Sunday, July 13, 2008 by Susan O’Connor
Another Man’s Treasure is opened every day from 12 p.m.- 8 p.m., including now also Mondays.