About

The Monticello Antique Shop, Inc was founded by George Houmis in 1960 in Norfolk, Virginia on Onley Road. He then moved the shop to our present location at 227 W .York St. in downtown Norfolk in 1969. Mr. Houmis was a Greek immigrant and worked in Norfolk as a cabinetmaker of 18th Century handmade reproductions and selling 18th and 19th Century English and American furniture. Mr. Houmis’ daughter , Irene and her husband Jim Close, bought the business in 1982 and continue to run the shop to this day with their cabinetmaker, David Colonna– all trained by Mr. Houmis.

Today we specialize in buying and selling late 18th and early 19th Century American and English furniture. We have a complete restoration and repair business, from turning a new leg, to replacing missing veneer and inlay, to restoring finishes on any type of furniture. We can accommodate your needs. We serve the entire Tidewater community and our clients include the Interior Decorating trade, other antique dealers and the Chrysler Museum of Art. We have worked on pieces in the Chrysler Museum and the Moses Meyers House Museum, both located in Norfolk. We also continue to build copies of 18th Century furniture made to order. Please see “Under Construction” for items being built.

We are a small company and are passionate and fastidious about our work, please come by and visit us, we are always looking to forge new relationships and accommodate your needs. Ring the doorbell and either Irene or “Toula”, our golden-doodle, will greet you.

See you soon, Jim & Irene Close