Berkley Shop Offers Collectibles Stamped in History

Jeff Armitage strolled to the glass counter at with a stack of stamp mounts and a calculator.

“Is it OK if I add these up myself?” he asked.  “I think it comes to about $70.”

Armitage, 62, of Commerce Township is one of a select few customers to carry a certain carte blanche in this Berkley store. In fact, some regulars spend enough time at the stamp, coin and collectibles shop to know nearly as much about the inventory as father-and-son owners Karl and Todd Schaefer.

A passionate collector of Olympic stamps and trivia since watching the 1960 Rome Olympic games on television, Armitage appreciates the support and merchandise he finds at America’s Stamp Stop. He said he’s been shopping here since he moved to the area from Indianapolis in 1986.

“This is the only full-service stamp shop in greater Detroit,” he said.

A Rich Past

A respect for history is prevalent at America’s Stamp Stop. And co-owner Todd Schaefer is quick to point out that what is collectible isn’t always what is most valuable. Instead, value originates from individual interest and passion, much like Armitage’s Olympic fascination.

Founded in 1978 by Karl Schaefer, 81, of Oak Park, America’s Stamp Stop moved from Birmingham to Farmington Hills and then to Farmington before settling into Berkley in February 2005, at which point Todd Schaefer left a busy real estate career to join his father in the business.

Eventually bursting at the seams in the 800-square-foot original Berkley shop, the Schaefers moved to a much larger location at 3860 12 Mile Rd. in 2009. Berkley was an easy choice, said Todd Schaefer.

“We picked Berkley because it is geographically a sweet spot for Metro Detroit,” he said. “It’s not too far east to alienate west-siders and not too far west to be inaccessible to east-siders. And it’s a good blue-collar town, not as upscale as Birmingham or as trendy as Royal Oak.”

Stamps, Coins … and Hot Dogs

Both of the Schaefers were glad to bring back an America’s Stamp Stop gastronomic tradition when they moved to the larger location: the Saturday hot dog lunch.

In his original location in Birmingham in 1978, Karl Schaefer reached back into his deli business prowess to offer customers free hot dogs one day each week.

When the store moved to its current site, Todd Schaefer made sure to build in a kitchenette, complete with a pickle-shaped “Karl’s Deli” sign, where they could prepare free hot dogs for customers visiting the shop from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays.

A Whole New Look

The store is a work in progress as it welcomes shelving purchased at Borders when the company shut its doors recently.

Even the exterior is getting a face-lift in the form of a mural, hand-painted during the summer in bright latex paints by Sterling Heights artist Dave Regan.

Todd Schaefer couldn’t be happier with the store’s new look, a definitive branding that he’s sure will make the store instantly recognizable in the Berkley business landscape.

“We love the way the mural is hand-painted and old school, because that’s what were are all about. We’re here in the past, that’s what we always say,” said Schaefer, 48, who lives in Southfield.

Schaefer hired Regan, 52, not necessarily for his 25 years in the advertising business nor because he has taught advertising at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Detroit’s College for Creative Studies for the past 11 years. Instead, Schaefer said he was drawn to Regan’s bright, pop-art style because it sends the right message for America’s Stamp Stop.

“No one else could have painted this mural the way Dave could,” the younger Schaefer said. “He really pulls it all together.”

The two spent countless hours talking about the best image to represent the shop and decided on a clean, handcrafted design that honors America’s greatest achievements, including balloons, trains, ships and mail planes depicted on stamps and coins.

“These are all the elements of our greatest generation,” said Schaefer, with a nod to the classic Americana of the 20th century.

A Door Makes a Statement

The entrance door, in particular, holds significant meaning, said Schaefer: “There could be a million things on that door, but we chose to represent (Abraham) Lincoln and the honesty and integrity he stands for.”

The penny image that still is being completed by Regan reminds visitors of the bread-and-butter, small-town nature of the store.

“We hope that those who make a day of it with us and spend $5 and those who stay only an hour but spend $1,000 will find that they have a lot in common,” said Todd Schaefer.

Together, the mural, entrance door and door facing 12 Mile Road, which features the 2001 21-cent American bison stamp, strongly brand the location as an honest, family-oriented business, one of many that strengthened the landscape of America over the generations.

“People don’t always know what we do, but they see the image, and the mural brings in more business than does our sign,” Schaefer said.

“I’m waiting for the first car accident to happen on 12 Mile. There is a lot of rubbernecking going on,” he joked.

Shop Local, Think Global

The opportunities offered by the Internet and the 4,000-plus items in America’s Stamp Stop eBay store have created an element of international commerce for the hometown store, Schaefer said.

Each week, the Schaefers address and stamp packages that make their way to far-flung destinations including Nepal, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Qatar, Dubai, Cambodia and Argentina.

But Karl, Todd and, increasingly, Todd’s 19-year old daughter, Samantha Schaefer, a graphic arts and photography student at Oakland Community College who also works in the shop, appreciate visits from multigenerational family groups looking to connect over a shared philatelic interest.

“We have a lot of family combinations that come in here on the weekends,” said Todd Schaefer. No doubt that suits him just fine, given his recent decision to take business life at less-than-breakneck pace.

An avid cyclist, Schaefer is wistful only when the weather outside is perfect for taking his bike on the road. Otherwise, he couldn’t be happier where he is.

“I rarely wish I was somewhere else when I’m here working,” he said.

America’s Stamp Stop is located at 3860 12 Mile Rd. and is open from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. For more information, call the store at 248-399-1930.