A New Chapter

THE TAGLINE on the Tyndale II Art Store sign on (920A) Main Street in Boonton reads “old keys can open new doors,” and that adage is exactly what lifelong Pequannock resident Beverly Tindall had in mind when she decided to open the doors to a new iteration of her father-in-law’s art and antique business, Tyndale Collection, in 2024.

A retired West Orange teacher and media specialist, Tindall’s life has quietly paralleled that of her husband’s father, Hal Tindall. In 1985, when she began teaching, he left the corporate world to pursue his love of art by opening the store using the English spelling of this surname (named after the region near the River Tyne). He operated it, along with his wife Marjorie, for more than 35 years before COVID-19 hit in 2020.

“Art was the second career for both of us,” says Tindall, who holds a minor in art history and always had an affinity for it although she taught English for much of her career.

Shortly after her retirement in 2021, in an effort to keep the family legacy alive, she began working on re-opening Tyndale Collection, what she refers to as a gallery, where her focus is on selling the many pieces Hal, turning 97 this month, had acquired during his tenure as shop owner.

LOVINGLY CREATED

This process took three years to complete with Tyndale II Art Shoppe’s doors officially opening in November of 2024. At that grand opening, Tindall was heartened by the outpouring of friends from both communities—Boonton and Pequannock—some of them longtime customers of the original storefront, who came out to support her new business venture.

“My father-in-law possessed a true love of art, had a great eye for acquiring skilled paintings and prints, and took great pleasure in matching the buyer with the right piece,” she says. “He spent countless hours researching the time period, the artist and the technique of each piece he had purchased, which at that time, was found in volume after volume of art history books.”

Hal dabbled in creating art of his own in the form of woodcarvings, now kept mostly as family treasures.

Tindall’s experience as a media specialist during the latter part of her career coupled with the internet, make her research much easier though still somewhat challenging.

“My attention to detail and my background in research has certainly helped me in this journey,” Tindall adds.

The former teacher also offers painting activities on Boonton Main Street First Fridays when weather permits. Attendees create their art on tiny canvases with supplies provided by Tindall.

“It’s inspiring,” she says of this bonus aspect of running the shop. “I encourage participants to go inside the shop to get some inspiration from the pieces we sell.”

Tindall describes the transition from classroom to running her own business as a “natural evolution,” but one that has not been without its minor challenges. Many of the classroom skills—creativity, time management, research, and organization have transferred seamlessly.

“One of the biggest challenges for me has been navigating a social media presence. It is such a powerful tool for visibility, but learning how to communicate the warmth of this small shop takes creativity (and the help of my social media savvy kids),” says Tindall.

And those kids, along with her husband (also named Hal, who helmed the renovation of the gallery, prepping walls and painting), have certainly pitched in. Casey, Tindall’s oldest daughter and a graphic artist, designed the logo, business cards, and price tags which emphasize the skeleton key, an object her grandfather always had many of in his shop. Casey also helped create a website and social media accounts. Tindall’s two younger daughters, Brooke and Jill, assisted with the decor and inventory, while her son, Jay, a finance major, helps with the accounting for the business. Everyone helped clear out the inventory and moved it to storage for easy access as needed.

THE VALUE OF ART

Reaching into that inventory seasonally to find appropriate pieces keeps the store looking fresh. Tindall will offer a 25% off holiday sale as she displays winter landscapes and Christmas specific pieces (nativity, Rockwell, Santa...). Art, she says, is the perfect gift as both a lasting treasure and a valued investment.

“My seasonal displays and everchanging artist’s quotes invite the curiosity of visitors. I’ve also embraced the teacher/learner and storyteller in me by creating QR codes and postcards that let visitors learn about the artists and their work, and in turn, I am teaching myself something new each day,” she says.

Among her many goals is to match a customer’s style with the appropriate work of art. Tindall is rising to that challenge. “I’m always amazed when the right piece of art lands in the hands of a new owner,” she asserts.

“My father-in-law knew the value of art,” she says. “He wrote price tags on every piece he acquired after carefully researching the style and time period. He truly loved and appreciated art, and was always fair in pricing what he’d acquired,” Tindall adds.

Though clearly enjoying her retirement, Tindall works tirelessly on this new venture. Plans include possible expansion, extending an invitation to display their work to local artists and high school students, and the creation of an online presence to connect to a wider audience.

“I also might be inspired to travel and explore the art and artifacts of different cultures, and then share the different perspectives with my community,” she concludes.

BY DONNA DEL MORO