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.

Meika, a New Jersey native, always wanted to have her own store and had various experiences that lead her to it. At thirteen she was into fashion and music and making her own clothes.  She later worked at other vintage stores and also spent time as a seamstress in the theater and at a bridal shop. In addition, she performed in a band, which is how she met her husband Warren, a native of England. They met in New York City while they were both performing in bands.

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.

Though some youngsters may find items to add to their dress up collections, or adults for that matter, for the Franzes, the clothes aren’t about being costume-y. Their wares allow people to mix pieces and make them modern. “It’s about being unique and creating your own look,” says Warren. Whether it’s adding a men’s hat or a piece of jewelry to a favorite outfit, or a wearing a vintage dress that looks like the “newest” styles in the magazines, customers like being able to create their own style.

They mention that vintage clothes also are an affordable way to get quality pieces in the more disposable society we live in today. As things are made faster and cheaper, it’s rare to find affordable clothes made with the same care that those from decades past had. A lovely evening dress here has a price tag of $75, a price one would be hard pressed to find elsewhere for a formal dress. At Another Man’s Treasure, fancy dresses are $60 and up, with day dresses ranging from $30- $45. Separates are between $15-$30. They also point out a sale section that has dresses and tops for only $5- $10.

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.