Mitch Baker, owner of the newly opened Antique Village West Creek located in West Creek carries such a passion for large-as-life Long Beach Island memorabilia that he has enough stunning stuff at his beach house to open a museum. In fact, he hopes to someday.

And at the store are rare Americana and astounding authenticated signatures from presidents and sports and music celebrities that would be considered a big deal by collectors.

Baker grew up absorbed in history; his mother owned an antique store in Westwood, N.J. His hometown of River Vale oozed history, as the site of the tragic Baylor Massacre of 1778, a Revolutionary War atrocity that was uncovered only half a century ago. The family summered in Brant Beach, so LBI was Mitch's second home and is now first choice for the foreseeable years.