business & professional

Where America Shops For Stamps

A lot happens in this quiet, friendly place.

Allan Nahajewski

Contributing Writer

I

f you've been on 12 Mile in Berkley,
you've probably noticed a building
with a stamp-themed mural. Step
inside, and you'll find you're entering
another world.
It's a trip back in time, especially when
you hear the distinctive ring of a rotary
phone that, if you're of a certain age,
you've heard a million times before, just
not in this century.
Welcome to America's Stamp Shop, a
friendly, often quiet place where three
generations of the Schaefer family do the
work they love.
Karl Schaefer, 82, of Oak Park, the
founder, is currently recovering from back
surgery. His family calls him the work-
horse and a master storyteller. Karl's son,
Todd, 50, and his daughter, Samantha, 20,
of Southfield, also work here, along with a
few volunteers and freelancers.
Stroll through the shop and you'll find
stamps, of course, but also 2,000-year-
old coins, old toys, political buttons, cap
guns, opera glasses, military memorabilia,
British tea cards, a Buck Rogers bank,
Prince Albert in a can, a Coke bottle from
France — surprises around every corner.
But to the Schaefers, it's about more
than stuff. This is where children bond
with grandparents.
Yes, in this era of handheld gaming,
there are kids interested in stamps.
"Elementary school students come in
who are bright, rooted in history and who
want to connect to something more tactile
and intellectual:' says Pam Primak, who
works at the shop.
"I call them the Old Souls Club:' adds
Todd. "We find the age range within the
Jewish community of collecting is far more
varied than in the general population.
Maybe it's our emphasis on family:'

Collecting builds bonds beyond families.
"This is where the lion lies down with the
lamb:' he adds. "You'll find a high-priced
attorney sitting at a counter with a street
person, connecting in a way they wouldn't
in the outside world. That's what keeps us
passionate about what we do:'
America's Stamp Shop is celebrating its
35th year, but its roots go deeper. In 1942,
Karl, then 12, spent the summer visiting
consulates in New York City, shoebox in
hand, asking secretaries for envelopes,
knowing the stamps on registered overseas
mail had value. He soaked the stamps off
the envelopes, put them on display cards,
and went to Nassau Street, then the mecca
for stamp collectors. He was able to trade
his collection for one of stamping's Holy
Grails — the Columbian Exposition Set
from 1893, today valued at $10,000. The
rest of the story: Several years later, while
Karl was in the Army, his brother sold his
prized possession.
However, Karl's passion for collecting
reignited when his son, Paul, told him he
wanted to collect stamps. At the time,
Dad was selling insurance, supporting the
family, but he soon bought his first store in
Highland Park:' says Todd.
Karl and a partner opened the first
America's Stamp Shop in Birmingham in
1978, a time when investors were buying
large quantities of stamps. By 1980, they
added franchises in Sterling Heights and
Farmington Hills. However, the stamp
market collapsed in the early 1980s. In
the aftermath, Karl and his partner split
up, and the remaining store was moved to
Farmington before relocating to Berkley.
Todd has a vivid memory of when he
decided to enter the business.
"My epiphany came in the parking lot
outside my dad's shop. I was in real estate
and doing well. But when you're doing
well in real estate, the phone never stops.
One call generates 10 more. I remember

it was raining outside.
I was in my car on the
phone for two hours. I
looked into the store. I
saw my dad sitting at his
favorite place, sharing
his food, talking with
cronies, laughing, having
a good time. I thought,
that's what I want to do
when I grow up."
The shop has been in
its current location since
2009 with more than
4,000 square feet, includ-
ing warehousing and a
backroom where online
business is conducted.
"Stamp collecting is
exponentially larger in
other countries, and
about half our business is Three generations: Karl, Samantha and Todd Schaefer
through eBay," says Todd.
"The Internet allows us
postage says Todd. "Interesting stamps
to reach so many collectors who can't get
garner attention. One customer says that
here. People all over the world know us:'
when he meters his mail, he gets a quarter
Online customers from Alaska, Texas
of a percent response rate, but that jumps
and Germany stop into the store when in
to 3 percent when he uses real stamps. It's
town. And while much of the walk-in traf-
because people think there's something in
fic are seniors, other categories of collec-
that envelope that must be worth opening:'
tors include younger, newly retired people,
A growing number of customers are
who are picking up their collections again,
buying interesting stamps to support
and a growing number of women in their
themes for invitations to bar and bat mitz-
20s and 30s, who collect ephemera —
vahs and weddings.
transitory printed memorabilia.
On Saturdays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., cus-
Currently in the store is a box of love
tomers stop in for a free lunch.
letters to Mabel, who worked in a haber-
"Dad worked at a deli, so it's in his
dashery in Boston and toured the world by blood:' says Todd. "He serves Hebrew
steamship in the 1890s. Letters from her
National kosher hotdogs, potato salad,
suitor back home reached her in London,
chips and cole slaw, pickles, soda and
Paris, Brussels and beyond. "When I read
water:'
these, I think this should be a movie:' says
America's Stamp Shop, 3860 12 Mile
Samantha.
Road, Berkley, is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Recently, more businesses have been
Tuesdays through Saturdays. For more,
buying old stamps at a discount for use on visit its Facebook page or call (248) 399-
mass mailings. "We sell a lot of discount
1930.

❑

BIRMINGHAM

BIRMINGHAM

4.'
16 CI

MARTIAL ARTS

Kids
Karate

4.111alikor yShihiliaTria

Birmingham
Martial Arts

40

March 21 • 2013

2219 Cole Street• Birmingham MI 48009

248.646.6608
www.bmartialarts.com