Brooklyn Restoration Supply

Written and Photographed by Amy Benson

In college, I worked for an antique shop in Brooklyn. One thing you could count on was someone coming in and asking, “Do you know a little old farmer who sells architectural salvage?” The answer would always be, “You must mean Rudy.” Rudy is Rudy Rzeznikiewicz, a former dairy farmer and owner of Brooklyn Restoration Supply.

Brooklyn Restoration Supply specializes in 18th and 19th century architectural materials, or as Rudy says, “old house parts.” Across the street from his home and the farm he grew up on (and worked full-time until about 15 years ago), are three buildings housing more than 50 years of items Rudy has accumulated. Two are former coops – one housing beams and wide plank board, the other mantles and doors on the first floor, and shutters, paneling, and moldings on the second floor. Rudy says with a smile that when he first started out, he thought, “I’ve got two buildings. I’m set for life.” He’s since added a third building and would like to add an addition to one coop to better display all the hardware he has.

Rudy got into the business by accident. He was running the dairy farm and working as a substitute postal carrier; his postal route became too much, so he gave it up, leaving him with some free time that fall. At the same time, the Town of Brooklyn put a house up for demolition bid. “I said I’m going to bid on that because I could use some wood around the farm,” says Rudy. “A good winter project. Guess what? I got the bid. I didn’t know anything about old houses, and to tell the truth, I didn’t care. Well, it turned out there were some good things in there. One thing led to another. That’s how it happened. No plans.”

He continued to bid on houses, but only when he was approached. “I never went looking. I knew nothing. I learned a little at a time.” Nowadays, Rudy gets most of his items through sellers. People stop by with pieces they think he might be of interest. The day I visited, a retired dealer came in with a truckload of items from his collection. Rudy gets a lot of items from dealers who are downsizing, family members of those who’ve passed away, and from those who take down old houses.

“Once in a while, we may salvage a building, but not often. Don’t have the time. And there are plenty of good materials to buy – now, more than ever. The economy is not great; people are downsizing. Antique dealers aren’t getting rich. Prices are lower than they used to be.

“I don’t buy something because I have a customer in mind. If I buy anything, it goes into inventory. After 50 plus years, you should have an idea of what to sell. You don’t learn anything overnight. You can read the books, but you need the experience to go with them. It’s a combination.”

Brooklyn Restoration Supply’s customers come from all over. The majority is from the East Coast, but on occasion, Rudy has sold to customers in California and Washington State. He describes his clientele, as “restoration contractors, homeowners, architects, designers, and once in a while, someone in the trade.” He’s also had some of his items used in photo shoots and theater productions.

In college, I worked for an antiqueshop in Brooklyn.One thing you could count on wassomeone coming inand asking, “Do youknow a little old farmer whosells architectural salvage?” Theanswer wouldalways be, “You must mean Rudy.”

In the last few years, Rudy has seen an increase in what he calls “craft people:” those who repurpose his items into either something new, or artists who incorporate his wares into their work. He’s also seen an increase in purchasing for wedding décor. Rudy seems amused by the whole idea of getting married in a barn. Different from his day, he says.

He does no advertising per se, but Rudy has a good flow of people visiting him. I ask him how to find out about Brooklyn Restoration Supply; “It’s a small world and people communicate. That’s how it works,” Rudy says. With a smile he adds, “The bad communication comes first; the good comes second.”

Those who recommend Brooklyn Restoration Supply will advise that if Rudy gives a price on something, take it. There is no haggling. “I do things the old-fashioned way. This is what it’s going to cost you. That’s it," he says.

Some items sell right away; the more unusual items can take years. Rudy doesn’t mind waiting for the right person. A while back, he had a dome from a Russian Orthodox Church in Massachusetts. It sat for years outside with the mill stones and stone troughs. One day, a woman came and bought it to use in her garden. While he was holding it for her, another person came and wanted to buy it. “It always happens that way,” quips Rudy.

Rudy is a strong believer in diversifying. “Things can be alright now, but sour tomorrow. You have to have something in the reserve.” He tells me about how farmers used to keep cash crops to supplement the farm. For him, the salvage business serves the same purpose. His inventory continues to evolve with his customers’ taste. “Years ago, I didn’t want anything to do with Victorian items – too new. But, you have to adjust with the times,” he says.

Rudy’s youngest son Kevin – slated to take over the business when the time comes – certainly has his work cut out for him. Rudy is confident he’s leaving the Brooklyn Restoration Supply in good hands. “It’ll be his business and I’m not going to tell him how to run it.”

Brooklyn Restoration Supply is located across the street from 12 Gorman Rd., Brooklyn, and is open every day from 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (unless Rudy is farming).