Keith Zammit, the man behind Gigi’s Antiques and Collectables inadvertently immersed himself in his future career path at the age of 12, when he enjoyed a series of television programmes focused on antiques.

With a supportive family and a grandfather who was an avid collector, a combination of sheer fascination and being at the right place at the right time, led Keith top open up Gigi’s Antiques and Collectables – perhaps better known through its popular Facebook page.

This is his story.

Who is the person behind Gigi’s Antiques & Collectables? Can you give us a little background about you?

Well, my actual name is Keith Zammit - Gigi is my nickname and it all started back when I was 13 years old and used to play waterpolo with Sliema A.S.C. The coach had given me this name which stuck, and so, I decided to use it for my business.

My passion for antiques and collectables started when I was 12-years-old and would love watching ‘Antiques Roadshow’, ‘Cash in the Attic’ and ‘Flog It’ on BBC after a day school.

At 13, I managed to convince my parents to take me to the viewing of an auction – this must have seemed strange to them, but my mum was very understanding, mainly because her father was an avid collector.

After attending two auctions, I decided it was my turn to buy something small at an auction with my own pocket money.

I tried to attend as many auctions in the vicinity of my hometown Sliema and at these auctions I would sit and write down the selling prices of each lot to learn the value of items.

After turning 14, my mum came home to inform me that she spoke to a local auctioneer who was looking for an assistant to help organise auctions.

This was a very fruitful experience as I was present with Auctioneer Kenneth Vassallo, who is highly knowledgeable in the field, and this lasted 10 years.

I would like to publicly thank him for all that I have learnt. During this period, I continued my studies and graduated with a Higher National Diploma in Business at MCAST.

How did the idea for the shop come about, and how did it all start?

At 22, I had come back from travelling India and I was looking for a full-time job. After four months I managed to land a job with a betting company in the customer care department. As fate would have it, after two weeks in the new job my mum spoke to me about a friend who was looking to sell off her collector shop as a business.

I decided to purchase her business lock, stock and barrel, and in the meantime, I decided to keep working with the betting company for a whole year.

At that point, I decided to take the leap to change my small shop into my career – after all that is the job I had wanted since I was 14.

I have had my own business for over seven years now, and I am a firm believer in ‘Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life’.

In 2016 I also got my auctioneering licence, which I am still working and investing in, so, currently, it is still a part-time sector of my business.

Can you tell me a little bit about the shop’s development since you opened? You recently refurbished it & started organising auctions – was that always in the pipeline?

I have been in the same Birkirkara Shop for over five and a half years now. At the beginning, I had a big white canvas garage, and so I was excited to move to this shop as I had double the space and height. Three years in, I decided to close the shop for the summer months for a complete refurbishment.

The concept of the refurbishment was to offer something new in the antiques and collectors’ market in Malta. The refurbishment helped clients visualise the amalgamation of modern, mid-century and antique collectables together.

I am very lucky that my partner is one of the leading interior architects in Malta, and she helped with the design as I could bounce off any ideas I had in mind. One of the special features at the shop is a Maltese 1920s ‘Art Deco Antiporta’ which we converted into a sliding door to split the shop and small auction house. I saved this ‘antiporta’ from getting demolished in a townhouse.

I have organised a few auctions inside the shop but I am currently using the back as an extension to the shop. I am still offering my services for valuations and division of inheritance.

Can you tell me a little about the process of sourcing and selling antiques & collectibles? What are some of the most exciting/interesting finds you’ve come across so far?

Sourcing has become easier year after year, as more people know about my business now. I get people coming in with items at the shop or by sending photos through email, and I also like to attend house sales and flea markets. My favourite house appointment is when items have not been moved in over 20 years.

One of the main things I love about this job is that you never know what someone might offer for a sale. As a business model I focus mainly on collectables pre 1970s, specialising in adverts and small collectables. I mainly sell through my Facebook Group – ‘Gigi’s Antiques & Collectables’.

I have come across a lot of different and interesting items, such as a World War II Spitfire Propeller, a 17th century Grandmaster weighing scales and a collection of World War I Maltese Barracks glass negatives. A rule of thumb for me is – ‘if its strange, cool and I like it – buy it’

Has the shop been impacted by COVID-19? If so, how?

Like most busineses on this island, my business has been affected. However, I took the time to develop an online shop (www.gigiscollectables.com) and am offering free delivery with any purchase over €50. During lockdown, I managed to clear up the shop so that the display and storage are more organised.

What are your future plans for Gigi’s Antiques & Collectibles?

Right now there are no major plans but I am always looking to buy more collectables.

Gigi urged any interested partied with any collectables for sale to get in touch on 79851150. He does not purchase bulky items, such as furniture, beds, big sewing machines or similar items. He is particularly keen on pre-1970s items such as all radios, cameras, advertising, religious items, Malta-related books and other oddities.