Woman profits from her passion for antiques

Bellevue - Joyce Kuruce has a passion for antiques. So did her late husband, Norman. So did her late father, Joseph Fixel.

In fact, she and her husband had dreamed of opening an antique store in their retirement.

But when Kuruce's husband and father died within four days of each other, she found herself literally overwhelmed with grief and antiques.

Kuruce inherited more than 30 years worth of antiques — three houses and a farm full of old treasures that she could not keep.

Rejecting the idea of liquidating the items to sell the real estate, Kuruce did the only thing she could — she leased a storefront in Bellevue in October and started bringing over boxes.

The result is Antiques and Uniques of Bellevue at 14 N. Balph Ave.

"Most of this was an obsession my late husband and I had about 30 years. We just liked everything that was unique or beautiful," said Kuruce, standing in about the only place one can stand in her store: a narrow pathway from the front door to the basement steps.

Bob Lanza of McCandless stopped by as an antiques aficionado looking for a deal. Now he stops by for conversation and to help out.

Lanza said antiquing is a highly personal hobby and reflects all types of traits about the collector.

"Some people are into lighters. Some are into Depression glass. Some are into babies and baby portraits," he said.

Kuruce said she was "bitten by the bug" at her first estate sale, where she was looking for furniture but bought more than she thought she ever would.

"I filled the front seat, the back seat and the trunk of my old Pontiac LeMans," she said. "We never could pass up a bargain. It's a hobby that turned into my life's work."

Kuruce, a former USX employee, said the "antique bug" that bit her dies hard and that most days she'll trade or take in the same types of items she tries to sell.