Meet the Owner: Betty-Ann Crimi of Deja Vu on Main

Passing by any day of the week, you might come across a 1950's storage bin, complete with curved corners and a modern look, or bobbleheads of everyone from Spiderman to Don Mattingly. The next week, the store might have an early 20th century painting displayed... or a poster from the last Harry Potter movie.

It's just like that at Deja Vu – a complete surprise every week where your past, recent or long ago, gets a second chance at the "thriftique" store.

Betty-Ann Crimi, the Seaford native that owns and operates the store said the shop came from a lifelong dream after working for many years in other businesses.

"This was always something I wanted to do," she said, beaming. "I used to run yearly yard sales and would have stuff that my friends would want sold. I think, though, this is working out well."

Well might be an understatement. Two years ago this November, Deja Vu was the new kid on Main Street. Now in 2012, the store specializing in both antiques and thrift-type items has become a mainstay.

"God's really helped me, and it's tough to make it in the first year," Crimi said. "I've never had a shop before or ran a business... I've just been blessed with meeting great people here in the shop."

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The "thriftique" store – that's a portmanteau for thrift and antique – sells everything you could imagine from antique lighters, classic Star Trek toys, jewelry and even old signage from yesteryear. Walls are lined with antique furniture, early photographs and all sorts of odds and ends.

"I was always drawn to old pocketbooks and jewelry when I was younger," said Crimi. She said she collected these items for their history and the classic look and feel of the items.

"They're just not made the same way anymore... I always like recycling it – giving an item a new life. I'll do anything to not destroy it."

The store, while still new in the antique world, has seen its own fair share of history come through its doors.

"We once had a Zulu African warrior shield here; it was made with animal skin and well over 100 years old," she said, noting it sold for over $500. "I also had a whaling spear... it was from the area and way over 150 years old."

Crimi said she hopes to keep it going at Deja Vu for many years to come. With many customers coming in requesting items for her to look for and a big inventory, she said having set up shop in Babylon was the perfect idea.

"I can't complain about the people here, wonderful and friendly," she said. "It's been a pleasure here."