Clinton Beck's antique empire
By the age of 10, Clinton Beck’s destiny in antiques was written in the stars. His entrepreneurial spirit was ignited early when he wheeled his wagon full of empty bottles past an antique store. “There was a guy standing outside smoking a cigarette and he looked in my little wagon and said, ‘Hey, can I see your bottles?’ He looked at them and said, ‘I’ll give you five bucks for that bottle.’ In my mind I was like, five dollars, that’s amazing, I was going to sell it for a nickel.” It was in this pivotal moment that Beck discovered the importance of recognizing value and selling to the right audience.
As a teenager, Beck got his first job working for a veterinarian who lived in a Victorian mansion that he had disassembled in Ontario and rebuilt brick-by-brick on an estate in Port Langley, B.C. Hired to bartend a party one night, Beck walked through the front doors and was instantly enamoured. The home was filled with extravagant antique pieces unlike anything he had ever seen. That experience instilled in him an immediate appreciation for the beauty and history of antiques.
At 16, he found a part-time job at a jewellery store, where his admiration for antiques and jewellery blossomed, eventually leading him to rent a table at a local flea market. After graduating high school, he opened his first store on King George Highway in Surrey. The venture was a success, and Beck expanded his business, operating multiple stores in British Columbia before life circumstances brought him to Edmonton, where he opened Beck Antiques & Jewellery.
Today, Beck Antiques & Jewellery is a well-known name, with stores in Edmonton, Sherwood Park and West Edmonton Mall. The West Edmonton location also houses a unique horror museum, a passion project for Beck, filled with dioramas and memorabilia from classic horror films. This museum, free to the public with an option for donations, underscores Beck’s dedication to sharing his love for antiques and collectibles with the community.
The stores are treasure troves, featuring extensive collections of antique jewellery, coins, pop culture items, and rare historical artifacts. Beck prides himself on offering pieces that are not only beautiful, but also steeped in history. His collection of vintage jewellery is one of the largest in Canada.
One of the key factors that sets Beck Antiques & Jewellery apart is the expertise and quality assurance behind every piece. Beck employs some of Canada’s top gemologists who meticulously evaluate and authenticate each piece of jewellery. Additionally, the store offers comprehensive appraisal services, drawing on decades of experience and an extensive knowledge base.
The watch division of Beck Antiques is equally impressive, featuring a wide array of antique and luxury watches that are serviced to the highest standards. Beck’s connections with major Swiss watch companies ensure that all watches sold are of exceptional quality and come with warranties, providing buyers with confidence in their purchases.
Beck is also involved in a project aimed at nurturing young entrepreneurs. His story is featured in the book, Badass Entrepreneurs, set to release in September, with proceeds supporting Junior Achievement, an organization dedicated to empowering young business minds.
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