There’s recycling and then there’s upcycling!
What’s the difference, you ask?
Recycling is the process whereby everyday waste like paper, metal, plastic or glass is broken down and turned into a another usable item.
Upcycling is the magical process of igniting new life into old and well-loved items and giving them a whole new personality in a new home or business.
That’s what Jess and Josh White of the Tampa Bay Salvage Company want to achieve.
The couple is committed to finding quality objects and materials from all over the world that have endured the passage of time; so that each piece – be it a vintage light switch or an ornate period fireplace – whether useful, functional or just plain gorgeous, is afforded a new lease of life.
“I learned the salvage business working alongside my father and brother for 15 years in New Jersey and Texas,” said Josh White.
Josh is a graduate of West Virginia University. Jess, a medical aesthetician, but now working and traveling full-time for the business.
“I did try the suit and tie gig for a while but it just wasn’t me,” said Josh. I’m more interested in tearing down old barns and creating unique pieces of furniture,” he said.
Josh is a skilled carpenter, welder and restorationist and said he loves what he does.
“It’s so diverse – one day I’m out on a job site tearing down a house, the next I’m meeting clients to build unique custom furniture,” he said.
Josh has appeared in ‘This Old House’ magazine and starred in an episode of Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe on The Discovery Channel. Those appearances led to a lead role on DIY Networks’ Operation Salvage.
“But Jess and I like the Florida lifestyle so we decided to come here and start up our own architectural salvage business,” he said.
Tampa Bay Salvage originally opened its doors in Tarpon in 2010 but quickly outgrew that location. Now, with room to spread out, the business is now located at 4825 on US19-ALT in Palm Harbor.
“Most people think of architectural salvage companies like the prop departments of Hollywood movie sets but we specialize in architectural salvage and antiques from across the globe,” said Jess White.
Be prepared to see ‘out of the ordinary’ here — from the British telephone box at the entrance to the business to reclaimed flooring and lumber and custom built furniture — all at very competitive prices.
The couple explained that they travel frequently all over the world to find stuff that nobody else has.
“We do a significant amount of research before each trip and have forged trusted contacts worldwide to help us find those unique items,” said Jess.
“We’ve just returned from a trip to Bali and Sri Lanka,” said Josh. Our aim is to bring in a container or two of goods from various places overseas every 3 months or so,” he said.
“Bali,” said Josh, “is arguably one of the most beautiful places in the world. ”We found long-tail boat fishermen breaking down the lumber from broken down boats (‘juking’) and making furniture out of the teakwood,” he said.
Tampa Bay Salvage has 10 staff in all.
“My staff includes welders, carpenters and metal fabricators passionate in what they do,” said Josh. It’s vital we preserve each object’s beauty and historical integrity while we’re giving it new life in a modern design for our customers,” he explained.
White said he has structured his business so that every facet of their operation can be worked on under one roof.
“Everyday, we have stuff from as small as a key to as large as roof joists from a demolished building coming in and out of the premises,” he said.
“It’s good to have it all under the same roof,” he said. It truly makes our business a one-stop shop for all sorts of projects that includes design consultation, custom metal fabrication — right up to delivery and installation,” said Josh.
Tampa Bay Salvage is also highly sought for demolition jobs nationwide. The company recently completed demolition of a 1915 bungalow style home in Plant City, Florida.
Old house parts are a big part of Tampa Bay Salvage’s business and the yard boasts a large selection of antique doors, windows, stained glass, fireplace mantels, old lighting and antique tile. From ordinary to extraordinary and everything in between, there’s a lot of reclaimed flooring and lumber, industrial bits and pieces, wrought iron and antique hardware to be discovered.
“It’s unfortunate when an old house has to come down, but we’re glad its our job to save some of the historical elements from fine old homes,” said Josh, but we’re anxious to save and reuse as much material as possible,” he said.
Salvage from that home includes heart pine flooring, vintage bead board, five panel doors, antique tin roofing panels and oak fireplace mantels. There’s also pine beams that could be crafted for table tops and furniture.
“Our next foray overseas is to Hungary and Romania, Transylvania too. Who knows what we’ll find there,” said Jess.
“I know we’ve been in business for a few years now but I still get that “wow factor” when customers spot something really unique to them,” Josh said. “Like customer Gabriella Romsics,” he said.
Jess explained that they had just returned from Hungary when Gabriella came to the warehouse and spotted a horse cart that reminded her of her childhood in Hungary. Gabriella wrote this on Facebook: “It was my lucky day. I saw, to my surprise, a horse cart that took me back 50 yrs to my hometown, Jaszberent in Hungary. I knew I had to have this cart. There were several obstacles but this wonderful couple worked with me to make sure I could get this memory-filled object from my childhood. I cannot say enough. Wonderful experience with beautiful people. Thank you both so much.” — Gabriella Romsics
“It makes us feel glad to be doing this job. It’s very rewarding and gratifying to see people give new homes for our items,” Josh said.
Sue Quigley lives in Hudson. She can be contacted at 727.808.9587. Please contact her if you would like to see your business featured in the Hernando Sun.
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IF YOU GO
Tampa Bay Salvage is located at 4825 US-19 ALT, Palm Harbor, FL 34683
Phone: (727) 942-2106
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday 10am to 6pm
Saturday – Sunday 10am to 5:30pm
Email: TampaBaySalvage@gmail.com