About Us
The Antiques Depot is located at 2 South Beach Street on Nantucket and is owned and operated by husband and wife Jack and Ciara Fritsch.
After decades in our original location in the historic Lobster Pot Building on Easy Street, we relocated to 2 South Beach Street in 2016 where we share quarters with Nantucket House Antiques and Interior Design Studio, behind the Whaling Museum and across from the Nantucket Yacht Club.
The Antiques Depot remains one of Nantucket Island’s oldest and finest antiques shops, and a favorite destination for both the new and well-seasoned collector. The Depot offers an exciting collection of 17th, 18th and 19th century furniture, art and accessories, with a particular emphasis on Maritime, China Trade and Nantucket antiques and folk art, as well as an extensive collection of Decoys and Scrimshaw. Our clientele includes many professional dealers, interior decorators, and museum curators. The shop has gained many favorable reviews including the New York Times, The Denver Post and Fodor’s and is popular with many photographers, bloggers and our enthusiastic Instagram followers. With its eclectic mix of high quality and unusual items, the Antiques Depot continues to attract a loyal following of clients who appreciate a true antiques shop with many reasonably priced items. We are proud to present an antiques collection that will intrigue your imagination.
Jack Fritsch first came to Nantucket as a research biologist in 1979. His love for history and antiques quickly led him to co-found the Antiques Depot in 1989 with Howard Chadwick (who managed the shop as The Tiller Antiques since 1971). Jack is familiar to many as the former manager of the island’s auction gallery for 23 years. His experience also includes participating in many highly respected antiques shows as well as providing his expertise to several premier New England auction galleries, nationally known museums and private collections. Jack also writes regularly for the Nantucket Historical Associations “Historic Nantucket” and their popular newsletter series, and also for the Nantucket publication “Yesterday’s Island”. He is also a professional Personal Property Appraiser, providing service for estate, tax, insurance, and other financial purposes. A very active member in the community, serving as a former Chair and perennial volunteer with the Nantucket Historical Association’s Festival of Trees, as well as serving on the board of the Nantucket Book Foundation (and former Chair of the Nantucket Book Festival), the Nantucket board of the Nantucket Center for Elder Affairs, the Town of Nantucket Senior Center Committee, board of the Nantucket Musical Arts Society (and current Treasurer), and for many years on the board (and former Vice President) of the Nantucket Arts Council.
Ciara Fritsch, originally from Ireland, came to Nantucket in 1994, fell in love and never left! Ciara’s interest in antiques led her to work in the antiques business on Nantucket where she subsequently met (and later) married Jack. Her education and business background were in management, with an emphasis on the hospitality industry and event planning. She has worked for several well-known local businesses including the Union Street Inn and Susan Warner Catering/Nantucket Clambake Co. When she is not at the shop, Ciara can be found in her studio creating her line of plant-based skin care products purebodynantucket.com. She is involved in many local non-profits including co-chairing the Nantucket Historical Associations Festival of Trees, Sustainable Nantucket, and volunteering for events by the Nantucket Book Festival, Nantucket Arts Council, and Nantucket Musical Arts Society.
