Court of Two Sisters Finds Success

Since 1996, Dan and Cindy Comstock have been running an antique shop called Court of Two Sisters in downtown Tarpon Springs. Dan is a behind-the-scenes kind of guy, while Cindy is the face of the store.

Cindy says that the business came about as a coincidence. The Comstocks moved to Tarpon about 30 years ago, settled and started a family.

At the time, Cindy was working in retail and was ready to look for another field. A space on Tarpon Avenue opened, and before they knew it, the Comstocks were selling antiques from it.

With her background in retail, Cindy was ahead of the game.

“It turns out it’s not any different than selling clothes,” Cindy said. “It’s retail just like anything else.”

The inventory at Court of Two Sisters, 153 E. Tarpon Ave., has its own flavor. Cindy discovers antique treasures from estate sales and house calls, but never uses auctions. Walk-ins are another way the store replenishes its supply, taking in products from all over Pinellas County.

A twist in the store’s business plan is the consignment aspect. Cindy does not just purchase items for the store, she also allows folks to choose the option to consign. With all of the different sources filtering antiques into the store, the reserve of goods is always replenished.

Although the shelves were originally stocked only with antiques, the economy’s downward spiral led Cindy to revamp two years ago. With a friend’s help, she transformed the upstairs of the building into a furniture asylum.

Now, the downstairs is a traditional antique shop, while the upstairs is a blend of dapper organization and mixed buys. At one end of the upstairs hallway there is a room that resembles a New York City hideaway, while the other boasts a southern, country vibe.

Cindy likes to combine new and antique furnishings to bridge the gap between generations and prove an object’s longevity.

“I’ve never carried an item that I couldn’t sell,” Cindy said.

Of course with almost two decades to the store’s credit, Cindy has seen the ups and downs on Tarpon Avenue. She says that there was a dip in business over the past few years, but she thinks the upcoming tourist season is already starting to pick up. This gives Cindy hope, despite the loss of revenue in recent times.

“I’ve seen a real change this year in the fact that people are starting to let go a little more,” she said. “I think this is going to be a really good season this year.”

Court of Two Sisters

Address: 153 East Tarpon Avenue

Phone: 727-934-9255

Hours: Mon-Sat: 10am- 5pm; Sun: 12pm- 5pm