SCRANTON — Being a small business owner involves a lot of hard work, and Meegan Possemato now knows this first hand. But she also finds it to be well worth the stress.

She and Andrew Planey, both of South Abington Township, held a grand opening for their shop, On & On History Recycled, at 518 Lackawanna Ave., during last month’s First Friday Scranton art walk. The store is a marketplace of vintage, re-purposed and handmade items from several area vendors.

“This is something I’ve always wanted to do,” Possemato said, gleaming with pride as she stood at the front counter, which is a masterpiece in itself, made from vintage wooden soda crates. “When I get up in the morning, I’m doing exactly what I want to do.”

Opposite the counter, more wooden crates are stacked on their sides against the wall, forming a display shelf. On it sits a variety of soy candles, all made from glass soda and beer bottles, some vintage and others contemporary. Possemato and Planey buy the bottles at places such as flea markets and antique stores, clean them up, cut them to the desired size, smooth the sharp edges and fill them with soy wax. She said one might be surprised how many different bottles they find to work with, and the number they are currently storing.

“Someday we’d like to be able to park in our garage again,” she said, laughing.

But despite the volume of candles, and all the other items offered in the shop, no two pieces of merchandise at On & On are alike.

“Everything’s one of a kind,” Possemato said. “That’s what we tell people: If you like it, you should probably buy it, because it’s one of a kind.”

Bill Gaughan, a member of the Scranton City Council, understood this concept when he dropped in to welcome the business owners to the city and visit the store for the first time.

Seeing a decorative vintage clock, the face of which was flanked by two religious holograms, he knew immediately his family members would love the piece. But he also knew it may not still be available if he waited and came back for it. And so went his first purchase at the new business.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said, when asked of his first impression of the shop. “You don’t realize there are stores like this right downtown. …I think people from out of the area will come to see this, too.”

Just some of the many other items to be found at On & On include vintage clothing, household items and home decor; re-purposed trinkets and finds and handmade purses, wallets and accessories. One vendor, Reclamation Industrial Furnishings, owned by Brian Murray, set up a mini showroom at the shop, featuring handmade and re-purposed furniture.

A few examples of the Scranton fireman’s work include bar stools made from vintage sewing machine pedestals, a lamp crafted from an antique bottle capper and an old drafting table turned into a new desk.

Possemato said Murray’s items are some of the most popular in the store.

“His space looks empty, because he’s always selling things,” she said.

On & On still has some vendor space left, although the shop is filling up fast. Those interested in renting a spot to sell their vintage, re-purposed and/or handmade wares can find more information online at onandonmarketplace.com or by visiting the Scranton store.

Business hours are currently 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. These hours are expected to expand in the early fall. For updated times, call the business at 570-507-9294.

Meegan Possemato, who co-owns the shop with Andrew Planey, stands at the counter at On & On History Recycled, 518 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton. The South Abington Township residents held a grand opening for the shop last month during the First Friday Scranton art walk.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_ABJ-On-and-On-1.jpg.optimal.jpgMeegan Possemato, who co-owns the shop with Andrew Planey, stands at the counter at On & On History Recycled, 518 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton. The South Abington Township residents held a grand opening for the shop last month during the First Friday Scranton art walk. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington journal

A display of handmade and re-purposed items sits in the front of On & On History Recycled in Scranton.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_ABJ-On-and-On-2.jpg.optimal.jpgA display of handmade and re-purposed items sits in the front of On & On History Recycled in Scranton. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington journal

Meegan Possemato and Andrew Planey, both of South Abington Township, co-owners of On & On History Recycled in Scranton, turn old soda and beer bottles into soy candles, which they sell in their shop.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_ABJ-On-and-On-3.jpg.optimal.jpgMeegan Possemato and Andrew Planey, both of South Abington Township, co-owners of On & On History Recycled in Scranton, turn old soda and beer bottles into soy candles, which they sell in their shop. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington journal

A lamp crafted from a vintage bottle capper by Reclamation Industrial Furnishings sits on a sales display at On & On History Recycled in Scranton.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_ABJ-On-and-On-4.jpg.optimal.jpgA lamp crafted from a vintage bottle capper by Reclamation Industrial Furnishings sits on a sales display at On & On History Recycled in Scranton. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington journal

Decorative trivets made by Milkweed and Poppyseed from re-purposed wool sit on display at On & On History Recycled in Scranton.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_ABJ-On-and-On-5.jpg.optimal.jpgDecorative trivets made by Milkweed and Poppyseed from re-purposed wool sit on display at On & On History Recycled in Scranton. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington journal

A motorcycle saddlebag hangs among other vintage items at On & On History Recycled in Scranton.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_ABJ-On-and-On-6.jpg.optimal.jpgA motorcycle saddlebag hangs among other vintage items at On & On History Recycled in Scranton. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington journal
South Abington Township residents open vintage store in Scranton

By Elizabeth Baumeister

ebaumeister@timesleader.com

Reach Elizabeth Baumeister at 570-704-3943 or on Twitter @AbingtonJournal.