Our Story

The Antique Stove Shop and Gallery opened for business in April 1994 with Brian Batchley as lead restorer and Bernie Flanagan as general manager. Together, they realized that they could combine their artistic inclinations and mechanical abilities to create a new venture restoring beautiful, classic American stoves. They hoped to make a living while pursuing their passion for fine American craftsmanship.

The shop has been operating in the same location in Ventura, California, since 1995. We are proud to be a real brick and mortar stove shop, not some Johnny-come-lately “virtual” store. In the 24 years we’ve been operating, our dedicated staff has sold and restored hundreds of antique and vintage stoves. Not to drop names — but this is California, after all — we’ve been fortunate to have restored stoves belonging to Steve McQueen, Vincent Price and even one rumored to have belonged to Al Capone. And we even restored the stove that came out of the Beverly Hillbillies mansion. (It’s the one pictured on our Home page.)

Our showroom is essentially a working museum of early to mid-century stove craft. You can see the whole process from beginning to end, with beautifully restored models in our showroom and our lower gallery with dozens of diamonds-in-the-rough — unrestored pieces waiting for you to select from and choose your own porcelain colors and chrome or copper finishes.

American Artisans

Over the years, we have developed a national reputation as premier restoration specialists second to none. We have gained vast, specialized experience and knowledge in all things stove related. That is reflected in everything we touch. We know and love what we do as American Artisans.

Knowing that each project we complete will stand the test of time — and bring our customers many years of satisfaction with their beautiful kitchen centerpiece — is our greatest reward.

We are keeping alive the tradition, when “Made in America”  meant everything.

We especially appreciate and enjoy restoring classics from the 1940s to 1950s. This is when many great American brands were at their zenith, including Wedgewood, O’Keefe & Merritt and Chambers.  We love what we do as American Artisans.

Of course part of that tradition is interacting with and supporting our local community, whether it be local vendors, artisans or charities. We have been members of the local Chamber of Commerce, and “Hall of Fame” members of the Better Business Bureau.

Easy to find

We are conveniently located in downtown Ventura on California’s Central Coast, only minutes from Freeway exits off Highway 101. Our showroom is open five days a week: Tuesday through Friday from 10 to 2, Saturdays from 10 to 1, and by appointment. Sometimes the shop is closed when staff is out for service calls or deliveries, so we encourage you to call first to make sure we’re in. We look forward to meeting you!

Why not plan your stove shopping with a visit to beautiful Ventura, California? If you are coming from out of state or county, I invite you to a five-minute walk to Ventura Pier for the best fish tacos around! And if you purchase a stove, I will even spring for dessert!

Bernie “the Stoveman”  Flanagan – proprietor

Please feel free to call or text us at 1 (805) 421-8926 or email here.