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1HER MOTHER RAN ADOLL HOSPITAL OUT OF HER HOME .Fleming ’ smother collected antique porcelain dolls , and ran adoll hospital from her home to fix them . Fleming , who collected Barbie dolls , helped her mother byrepairing Shirley Temple and vintage Patsy dolls . 2FOR 12 YEARS , FLEMING WORKED AS A PHOTOGRAPHIC CUSTOMPRINTER .
Fleming says her family was interested inold cars and motorcycles , and that during a “ cruise night ” when owners gathered with their vehicles in aparking lot to hang out over burgers , she befriended the owners of Creative Color Lab inPompton Plains . “ Now they ’ re Creative Photography , and Linda does portraits of the Real Housewives of New Jersey ,” says Fleming , who worked in their dark room as afilm printer .
3 SHE
OFTEN BROUGHT GOODSBACKFROM ENGLAND .
Starting in the early ’ 90s , after her sister married an Englishman who owns an independent record company , Fleming traveled often to West London to help the couple with childcare , work with her brother-in-law atrecord shows and festivals , and buy historical items she could bring back tothe U . S . and sell .
4 CHARISMA
IS LOCATED IN AFORMER STAGECOACH STOP .
The building in which Charisma 7 Antiques is housed was astagecoach stop and hotel going back to the 1840s , says Fleming .“ My store was the parlor and dining room ,” she says .“ There ’ s acast iron stove downstairs where the kitchen was .” Gentrification and upgrading of storefronts in Pompton Lakes have altered the appearance of nearby buildings , she says .
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5SHE SAYS THATCOVID REVIVED AN INTEREST IN HOME DECOR . Fleming says she ’ s seen renewed interest in household decorative items such as doilies and pretty kitchen dishes and implements since COVID forced everyone indoors for an extended period .“ Some people like retro items from the ’ 50s , while others like the shabby chic look ,” she says .“ Stuff from my childhood and teens is collectible now .”
6HER FAMILY ’ SMILITARY RECORD OF SERVICE GOES BACK TO THE REVOLUTION .Fleming says her family has a strong military history going back to the Revolutionary War , and that her son embraces that heritage . “ My son has been collecting military items since childhood with his dad , who is a veteran ,” she says . Her son participates in WWII reenactments , and likes to accumulate uniforms and field gear from the period . “ I ’ ll sell them if he wants to give them up ,” she says . 7SHE HAS SUPPLIED PROPS TO FILM AND THEATER PRODUCERS .
Film producers often come to Charisma for costumes , props and vintage clothing , says Fleming , especially in recent years .“ These big , independent film producers sourced me and found alot of costumes , and now they come back to the shop when they ’ re in New Jersey , even though they live in California ,” she says . She has also provided cups , saucers , clothing and furnishings for Matilda on Broadway , and staff atBergen County Community
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ALL IN THE FAMILY Jennifer Fleming , right , with her mother , left , outside Charisma 7 Antiques , the shop her mother opened in 1983 in Pompton Lakes .
College and the Barn Theater in Montville use her as aresource for vintage materials , she says .
8SHE EXPECTSTO EXPAND HER HOURS . Due tomultiple factors — her father ’ s illness , her status as a “ Jenof all trades ,” the need to drive her teenage son until he could get alicense — Charisma is open only three days per week . But Fleming expects to expand her hours in the future . She urges customers who have anything to bring in or who want tobrowse her offerings to call ahead for store hours and to make anappointment with her . About to go through your closet and eliminate anything that doesn ’ t give you joy ? “ My advice ,” she says ,“ is always ‘ If in doubt , don ’ t throw it out .’” ■
Charisma 7Antiques , Vintage Clothing and Jewelry , islocated at 212 Wanaque Ave . in Pompton Lakes ; ( 973 ) 839-7779 , charisma7antiques . com ( merchandise link connects with Etsy store )
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COURTESY OF JENNIFER FLEMING |
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8 HOLIDAY 2023 WAYNE MAGAZINE |