“Even as a child, I loved clocks,” said Lovinia Ferraro of Brimley. “So when my husband, Jim, and I decided to start a business, it was only natural I suggested we turn to time. He agreed and Ferraro Timepieces and Family Heirlooms was the result. We converted a building on our property into a showroom. Many of our clocks are not just objects to hang on a wall or keep on a mantle or nightstand. They’re beautiful, intricate timepieces that will be passed from one generation to the next.”
I’ve known Lovinia since 1952 when we started kindergarten, but it was only recently I became aware she always had an interest in clocks. She explained, “My first memory of time-keeping was hearing the tick-tock of the clock in my childhood home. There was something special about the sound as it struck the hours and resonated off our hardwood floors. I remember being fascinated as I watched and listened to it. We only had one clock in the house and Mom guarded it as if it were gold. No family member was allowed to touch it. She wound it and kept a sharp eye out that none of us went near it. At the time, I never thought clocks would be part of my future, but I’m glad they are.
“When Jim and I started our business in 1996, we wanted to sell something special – something that couldn’t be purchased at local stores. We knew there wasn’t a clock shop in our area, and after conducting a lot of research, we chose reputable brand name timepieces. We wanted to give potential customers the opportunity to purchase a gift that hadn’t come from a corporation owned store. There’s nothing wrong with presents from chain stores, but one-of-a-kind gifts are different from something mass-produced, especially if they’re purchased as a wedding, anniversary, or Christmas gift.
“All the companies we deal with are American. We sell Howard Miller, Rhythm Small World, LaCrosse, Things Remembered, River City Black Forest Cuckoo, and many more brands. Some clocks chime, some strike the hour, some have a special feature that plays a tune on the hour while the face turns, splits apart or rotates and returns to its original face position. Other clocks are radio controlled with weather forecast, some have wind speed and direction, and others have a rain gauge. Upon entering our shop, customers are greeted by a 7’ indoor/outdoor free-standing Howard Miller clock. Prices range from a modest amount to thousands of dollars. Woodgrains are available in an array of stains such as light and medium oak, walnut, dark cherry, and ebony.
“Construction materials vary. Most of our grandfather, wall, and mantle clocks are encased in hardwoods or veneers. Clocks with outdoor themes such as deer or wolves are made of metal. Inexpensive novelty clocks are usually made of plastic. Other materials include ceramic and polystone. Regardless of the material or price, I see the merit and worth in each piece. I started to say my favorite clocks are those that have the Westminster chime or an audible tick-tock, but actually I like all of them. Each one is different and special in its own way and each has its own name. We have dozens of Rhythm battery operated wall clocks. These are extra special because they have Swarovski crystals, automatic night shut off, and play up to 30 melodies ranging from classical waltz favorites to Christmas carols. Examples of the names the company gives them include Joyful Meditation, Grand Nostalgia Entertainer, and Peaceful Cosmos II.
“Although our showroom is filled from floor to ceiling, we only have two clocks in our home. One I’m especially fond of is the atomic weather station showing the indoor and outdoor temperatures, humidity, and barometric pressure. Some people ask what it’s like to own a business that deals only with time. Sometimes they think the sound of a clock ticking away the hours of life must be depressing. I reassure them the ticking is usually inaudible so it’s not like I’m aware of each minute as it passes. When a clock chimes, the sound is so beautiful it often brings a memory to mind whether it’s a recent one or something from long ago.
“Along with our clocks, we offer other items for sale including curio cabinets, sand timers, Galileo thermometers, and a wooden storage bench with a clock embedded in the top of it. We also sell battery operated alarm clocks and wristwatch batteries we’ll install for our customers. People often ask for something they can’t find in the stores like electric alarm clocks or wind-up ones. It seems like smart phones have all but eliminated the need for a regular alarm clock. Many stores have stopped selling them, but they’re available at our shop. We also service and repair all our products. I’d like folks to know that if they have a clock that needs to be repaired and wasn’t purchased from us, we do our best to fix it. It’s not always possible to get parts for an antique clock, but we never give up until we’ve conducted an exhaustive search.
“We keep adding to our inventory and if we don’t have a particular item in stock, we’ll special order it for our customers. If they see a clock on the Internet or in a catalog and we sell something comparable, they’ll get a chance to see the quality of materials and hear the melodies. We offer the best prices and invite people to visit our shop. I think they’ll be surprised at the beauty and variety of timepieces available for sale. As I touch a button on the clock, they’ll see the face open and close or the gears rotate, and they’ll hear the distinct notes of a melody and view all the special features. A wall or mantle clock isn’t just for keeping time anymore. It’s a piece of art to be treasured.”
Ferraro Timepieces and Family Heirlooms can be reached at 906-248-5436. Give them a call or stop by their shop located on West Irish Line Road in Brimley. You’re sure to find the perfect gift for any occasion. When I visited, I was amazed at the amount and variety of inventory. Clocks are everywhere and space is limited. Give yourself at least an hour to browse and ask questions. Lovinia is gracious and will show you the uniqueness of each timepiece.
Who would have guessed that a small country town would be home to such beautiful clocks? It shows the wisdom and forward thinking of the Ferraros. You won’t be disappointed when you visit their shop, but you will be astonished as strains of the Blue Danube, the William Tell Overture, or your favorite Christmas carols fill the air with a joyous sound. Happy shopping!
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