FITCHBURG – If you’re looking for a unique, one-of-a-kind gift for that special someone on your list who has everything or a present for yourself, Gallery at 759 has you covered.
The spacious shop filled with iconic collectibles from genres such as sports, Hollywood, television, history, and presidential memorabilia opened in September. Owner Rob Babineau Jr. and curator Roy Crawford relocated the shop from Princeton and in the process gave it a new name that pays homage to its address on Main Street.
The business partners were happy to show off their impressive inventory of authentic, certified, and unique items earlier this month. Framed photos and autographs of music and Hollywood royalty including Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry, Queen, Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, and more line the walls and are neatly arranged on the floor space along with well-known sports stars such as soccer phenoms Messi and Pelé. Frank Sinatra’s mugshot when he was arrested in 1938 at the age of 23 is on display along with guitars signed by Billy Joel and Jimmy Buffett and baseballs and footballs autographed by sports icons.
“No one has anything like this,” Babineau Jr. said.
Many more unique collectibles are also up for grabs, such as memorabilia from the popular television sitcom “Friends,” and even Gallery at 759 is not immune to the frenzy that has swept the music world – Swiftmania. Crawford pointed out a red football jersey hanging in the front window, a pro-style NFL Kansas City jersey ideal for fans of the newest and hottest power couple, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. It has the name “SWIFTIE” on the back and features Kelce’s number, 87, and the jersey is available on its own or in a professionally framed shadow box with LED lighting and images of the two stars.
“I always tell people to come back again because you’ll miss stuff the first time,” Crawford said.
Longtime city resident Babineau Jr. retired this year after providing medical care in the city for over 50 years as a second-generation physician. He said that finding a prime storefront location in his hometown was important to him as well as using local contractors and being part of the theater district renovation project.
“I wanted to do something in my retirement and be around. We thought, why don’t we just open the gallery here,” Babineau Jr. said. “Fitchburg is starting to pop, and we wanted to be part of that revolution.”
He said theater district investors including Fitchburg State University and the city welcomed them with open arms. Babineau Jr. said FSU told them to “jump on board, we’d love to have you” and “referred us across the street to planning people at city hall.” They were able to get guidance when it came to opening the shop and even grant money for the sign, which has helped them “sleep at night,” Babineau Jr. said.
He said they were committed to opening their business in Fitchburg and “hire all local people” to help renovate the shop space that had been vacant for quite some time, converting it into a “high end gallery,” Crawford said.
They are fully committed to being deeply entrenched in and supporting the local and greater community. Babineau Jr. mentioned that Dario’s and The Pauper’s Pantry are “right down the road” along with several other eateries and retail spots that line downtown and they have pieces hanging at spots around the city including Game On Sports & Performance Center, The Cellar, and Cozy Corner Coffee Shoppe.
He and Crawford two met 20 years ago on a golf course and began a friendship despite the fact that Crawford “started scamming me at golf,” Babineau Jr. joked good-naturedly. They both have long been interested and into collectibles and decided to join forces and opened Mountain Memorabilia in Princeton together in 2021.
The shop didn’t get much foot traffic, so they decided to relocate to Fitchburg – a decision that so far has proven to be a wise one. They said business at Gallery at 759 has been steady since opening in the fall and relayed that they offer online sales and can ship to anywhere in the world.
“In the 50s and 60s this place was booming,” Babineau Jr. said of the revitalization the downtown area has been experiencing in recent years.
They tapped into inConcert Web Solutions out of Gardner to help them with marketing and getting on social media and John Sepulvada, who does IT at the shop, and associate Darrin Kowesky round out their core team. As a thank you to the community that has embraced them, they always offer a 10% discount to FSU students and are currently running a 10% off holiday sale promotion.
In addition, they have donated pieces to local nonprofits, including one to the annual Arc of Opportunity auction in October, and promised to continue doing that.
“I enjoy people, my partners are just a plus,” Babineau Jr. said when asked what he enjoys most about having a business in his hometown. “We want to support the city. Everyone has been so nice and wants us to succeed.”
For more information call 978-503-0901, visit gallery759.com, and follow Gallery at 759 on Facebook and Instagram.