Main Street Coins & Collectibles brings antiquities to Saline

It was never Bill Ortell's plan to own a rare coin and collectibles store, but after he met Ralph Leffler, the owner of D&R Coins in Milan, a plan was made for him. 

 

"He was a wealth of knowledge," Ortell says of Leffler. " He and I hit it off real good. He didn't want everyone else to buy the business out. Some people don't know how to talk to people about coins." 

 

It was a good instinct. After all Ortell has been collecting coins for more than four decades and loves to talk about the antiquities for hours. When he was offered a great deal on the business, he took it, and when Leffler recently passed away, he decided it was time to relocate and rebrand the business as his own, opening up Main Street Coins and Collectibles in downtown Saline. 

 

"On Main St. [in Milan], I could count a hundred cars go by in a day," says Ortell. "In Saline, I have more on than that go by in one hour."

 

It's a good sign for downtown Saline that Ortell says his new 3,000 square foot storefront was chosen because it was the only available space he could find in the district to fit his needs. 

 

Main Street Coins and Collectables employs Ortell and one employee. Ortell says his goal is to be as fair as possible to customers and offer in-depth knowledge. While Ortell specializes in American currency, his employee has experience with foreign coins, as well as extensive knowledge of antique jewelry.