We Met Over Coffee
There are a ton of perks to being a part of the Philadelphia community, but the endless supply of creatives and craftsmen is definitely at the top of our list. Take Philadelphia Salvage Company, an architectural salvage, refinishing, and restoration business based out of North Philly. Owner and proprietor Chris Stock started out in the construction business but was inspired to branch out into salvage after rescuing doors from a demolition site for a home renovation project. A few weeks later, he stumbled across an Economist stat claiming that construction and demolition accounts for a preposterous proportion of all American waste (the EPA estimates that construction and demolition creates 160 million tons of waste, less than half of which is recycled or reused).
Something clicked for Chris, and he decided to turn his construction company into a salvage business. His initial vision to sell construction scraps has since transformed into Philadelphia Salvage, which now operates out of a former bronze foundry in Hunting Park. Chris and his team sell salvaged materials and create custom designs for local companies from reclaimed materials.
Chris estimates he’s supplied materials or built something for 30-40 percent of Philly’s businesses, including (you guessed it) Saxbys. We tapped Philadelphia Salvage to create a display for our Philly Snack Box, because it only made sense to feature locally made goodies (like Baba’s Brew kombucha and a co-branded Tradestone Confections Chocolate Bar) in a locally made merchandiser.
Plus, we used it as an excuse to take a field trip to Philadelphia Salvage, browse the salvaged goods in stock, and watch our merchandisers come together in their on-site workshop (where even the tools are reclaimed, including a World War II–era table saw). We also had the chance to pick Chris’s brain about Philadelphia Salvage’s roots, all the cool things they’re doing in the Philly community, and where exactly they found the materials you’ll soon see in Saxbys cafes.
How would you describe Philadelphia Salvage and what you do? What’s signature to Philadelphia Salvage?
A common phrase we use is “saving history, building tomorrow,” and it’s really what we do. We are constantly pulling amazing finished and raw materials from buildings and dumpsters, saving them from a landfill, then inventorying them to sell or remake into something new.
What’s the coolest piece that you’ve salvaged?
Hard to pin down just one, because we’ve seen so many. I’d have to say a bunch of 1940’s and 1950’s vintage denim shipping blankets, which wound up being made into high end designer jeans and jackets.
What would your dream restoration project be?
My 1943 WWII Fast Attack Sub Hunter that I just saved from a Viking funeral. It’s in Sitka, AK, and I started fixing her up last year. Her name is Sitka Spruce (name she was given after leaving the Navy’s hands), and she is 66 feet long. Looks like a PT boat.
How did your partnership with Saxbys begin?
Lori, Saxbys’ Product Development Manager, reached out to us and asked if we could fabricate some merchandisers and gift card holders using reclaimed materials. Right away it definitely sounded like something we could do, but we were also very interested in hearing what Saxbys was all about. Once we realized Saxbys was looking for something made by local craftsmen, sourced from local materials, to display locally made snacks at a local café, we knew this was a no-brainer for us. Philadelphia Salvage champions locally made products, and we love working with other like-minded people. We are thrilled to be working with Saxbys and hope we can continue to promote local companies throughout the Philadelphia area.
You’re known for using reclaimed materials. Where did you source the materials for this project with Saxbys?
They came from a factory in Kensington right off of Front Street. I’m not sure what was made there, but the building was amazing. There was a fire there recently that destroyed some of the building, and it was deemed unsafe. The demo contractor called us to save what could be saved before it was destroyed.
As a proud local company, what’s your favorite part about being a member of the Philly community?
Working with other local companies. I don’t see this as much in other cities. Philadelphians like working with other Philly people and are proud of it. They love saying, “I got this from Chris over at Philly Salvage. You know him?” It’s very much a community. Philadelphia is the biggest small town.
What’s your favorite place to go in Philly (…besides Saxbys)?
Saxbys! Do you mean food and drink though? Probably Modo Mio although it’s crazy there now. I was there on the first day they opened before Fishtown blew up, and we were the only people in there, now it’s packed and too loud. Marigold in West Philly is another.
You can peruse Philadelphia Salvage Company’s treasure trove of reclaimed materials in North Philly any day of the week from 10am to 6pm (and until 7pm on Thirsty Thursdays, when Chris and his team serve bourbon and beer on the house!). Philadelphia Salvage Company’s custom merchandisers, which Chris welded in front of our very (shielded) eyes, will be on display in Saxbys soon.