SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Smith Housewares & Restaurant Supply in Syracuse has opened its upstairs floor to sell china dating back to the 1880s.

Owner John Kuppermann has collected items from estate clean-outs and consignment sales. Some came from the Elmwood Presbyterian Church, and about 8,000 pieces came from the family of the late Stan Skoczen, an avid collector.

"He meticulously wrote small numbers on the bottom of pieces and would label them and when I started seeing them, I would ask his nephew what they're all about. He said there's journals," said Kuppermann.

Smith Housewares & Restaurant Supply on Erie Boulevard East is open seven days a week.