Pictured above, Ray Kinneman, owner of Emma Jean’s Relics.
Not surprising to those who know him well, a high school-aged Ray Kinneman was once named “Employee of the Month” for 11 months in a row at the now closed Crafton K-Mart, his first job and where he initially fell in love with retail. As an active business owner and dedicated food pantry volunteer, some might describe the owner of Emma Jean’s Relics as a workaholic.
“Both my parents were local council people and very involved. I get my work ethic from my father and my community service from my mother,” commented Ray.
The Esplen native said he has always wanted to be his own boss. After working corporate jobs and running a dog rescue for pugs out of his home, he founded the business in 2010 as Emma Jean’s Attic in Crafton. But several years later, he had to close the store to care for his partner Bryan Sable’s mother and they began searching for a new home that could accommodate both their families.
“It’s because of the C,” Ray laughed. “Bryan has this theory that all the towns with the best homes begin with the letter C. So, we looked in Crafton, Carnegie, Carrick…and ended up finding our home in Coraopolis.”
Shortly after relocating to 15108, Ray reopened his shop on 5th Avenue in the business district under its revamped name.
“The community we have here is better than other areas. I believe in the town and the people doing the work. Everyone is extremely supportive,” he said. “Coraopolis is also very affordable right now, which makes it reasonable to have a business here.”
Ray continues to build Emma Jean’s Relics through creative merchandising techniques, some of which he perfected while being closed last year during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m not one to sit and let the world happen around me. I first decided to help out as much as could with my community. Second, I moved my business online. Facebook Live sales became a new avenue for us. They became a form of entertainment as well as a great selling tool. It helped us survive Covid and created a new customer base. Most importantly, we built a family online.”
With an eclectic mix of antiques, home goods, fine china, toys, games, and records, the shop has amassed an impressive customer base and a social media reach of over 7,000.
So in early 2021 when Pittsburgh City Paper began taking nominations for their annual “Best-Of” issue, Emma Jean’s Relics was on a lot of people’s minds. The store was recently named #2 Antique Shop in Pittsburgh, a remarkable feat and a nod to the hard work Ray and his team put in on a daily basis.
“The honor is great but I don’t really care about awards. What is really humbling to me are the unsolicited nominations from my customers.” Ray continued, “The nominations are more amazing than winning. I appreciate the support every step of the way, I really do.”
Ray reciprocates that support to his fellow Coraopolis business owners, serving as a mentor and teacher to many.
“Owning your own business is empowering, but some days you can feel like a sinking ship and very alone. If something as simple as a conversation can help somebody and guide them, it's worth it to me,” he said.
Ray continued, “Watching people grow is like having a child. I love teaching them how to use Facebook and helping build their websites. I’ve always been a believer that we are stronger together. If one of us fails, we all fail.”
As the Coraopolis Business District continues to grow, Ray’s goals include expanding the shop’s website presence with more online merchandise, developing an app, and continuing to help with community needs and events.
“The CCDC has been great about increasing communication, coordinating events, and providing resources. Knowing that [the CCDC] is doing these things helps me focus on my business,” he said.
Through continued communication and collaboration, Ray hopes that the community can work together to make it a smoother process for new businesses. He appreciates the strength, opinions, and support offered locally and looks forward to Emma Jean’s Relics being a part of Coraopolis for years to come.
“I believe in the community we’ve all built together – I wouldn’t give that up.”
Emma Jean’s Relics is located at 930 5th Avenue in the Coraopolis Business District. Hours of operation are Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm, with an extra hour on Saturdays. Find them online at www.emmajeansrelics.com and on Facebook @emmajeansrelics.