Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/748197
Pacific Grove Showroom Features All Things Antique B Y M I C H A E L C H AT F I E L D B ill Gustin started collecting antiques at 19, when he inherited bedroom and dining room sets from his grandparents. "I've always liked old things," he says. So much so that his col- lection soon outgrew his San Jose family home, as well as neighbor's garages and several storage units, and eventually moved into warehouses. But Gustin didn't begin selling his treasures until 1998, opening a San Juan Bautista shop. "It was time for me to start letting go of stuff," he shrugs. In 2015, he and partner Kathryn Funari moved to the former Trotter's Antiques Pacific Grove storefront, opening Fat Willy's Antiques. It's a large space that includes a huge basement, but Gustin still maintains 13,000 square feet of off-site storage. Having grown up in the car business—his father owned a San Jose Packard dealership— Gustin identifies with not only automotive, from the 1923 Renault convertible that's the first thing one sees upon entering the shop, to a vast col- lection of tables, sideboards, hutches, a little bit of everything antique. And, of course, he collects cars: "At one point, I owned 58," he says, "but now I'm down to 14." That number includes his pride and joy, a 1957 Buick Caballero. Gustin and Funari are typically in the show- room—unless he's at an estate sale. Oh, yes… he's still collecting. Fat Willy's Antiques is located at 590 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. Call 831/801-7375 or visit www.fatwillysantiques.com. SHORTCUTS BUSINESS Bill Gustin, with partner Kathryn Funari, opened Fat Willy's Antiques in the previ- ous location of Trotter's Antiques in Pacific Grove. Gustin also collects automobiles. 72 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 6 Photo: Kelli Uldall