Veteran antiques dealer Robert Morrissey, who began his career in 1982 as a clerk at Clark Graves Antiques in Clayton, has announced the closure of his shop located at 704 Hanley Industrial Court. The last day for in-store shopping will be May 24.
Morrissey, known for his expertise in 18th and early 19th-century furniture and décor, has decided to close his physical store due to changing shopping habits. “The world has moved online,” Morrissey said, reflecting on the shift in consumer behavior. “People just aren’t out antiquing. When they are antiquing, they’re doing so at home with their mouse or in the parking lot on their phone.”
Although the storefront will close, Morrissey will continue to sell antiques through his website, social media channels, and at Incollect, a curated online marketplace that features fine furniture, art, and décor spanning centuries.
Throughout his career, Morrissey has specialized in blending the old with the new, showcasing how antique pieces can complement contemporary styles. He often styled mahogany furniture with modern artwork, demonstrating the dynamic relationship between classic and modern aesthetics. “The antiques add life to the modern, and the modern updates the antiques. It’s a really wonderful dynamic between the two, but it’s just hard getting people in the door,” he explained.
Clark Graves Antiques, founded in 1948, was St. Louis’ oldest antique gallery. After the death of founder Clark Graves in 1993, Morrissey took over the business a year later, preserving the original name for two decades. In 2014, he rebranded the shop to Robert Morrissey Antiques and Fine Art.
Morrissey relocated his shop in 2018, with plans to reassess after three years. “I’ll give it three years,” he recalled. “And here we are, almost seven, and things simply haven’t turned around. So, the time has come.”
The closure marks the end of an era for one of St. Louis’ most well-known antique dealers.
