Photograph: Brian Harkin
If you’ve ever visited Billy’s Antiques & Props *(billysantiques.com)*, the renowned green tent in Soho crammed with eerie relics and heavy antique furniture, you wouldn’t be surprised to hear that proprietor Billy Leroy’s 1,800-square-foot duplex mirrors his quirky shop. Though the tent was demolished in March to make room for a brick-and-mortar store opening in 2014, Leroy will stay in the public eye as one of four junk-scouring experts starring in the new Travel Channel series Baggage Battles (premieres Wednesday 11 at 10pm). The show follows Leroy’s trips to distant airport auctions, where he bids on unclaimed luggage with the hopes of uncovering left-behind treasures—a career he began decades ago. While working as a junior art director at an advertising firm, Leroy came across a rare French military painting in his off time, purchased it for $2,000 and then sold it at Christie’s auction house for $12,000—the equivalent of his yearly salary. Leroy quit the office gig, left his Upper East Side heritage behind and slipped into the underbelly of the Bowery’s culture. His apartment, which he’s rented for the past eight years, is a testament to his journey.

Apartment tour: 1BR in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Billy Leroy, the eccentric owner of Billy’s Antiques & Props and star of the Travel Channel’s Baggage Battles, reveals his taxidermy-filled abode.

Tuesday April 3 2012

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email WhatsApp

Advertising

Love the look? Get it here!

Clayton Gallery & Outlaw Art Museum 161 Essex St between Delancey and E Houston Sts (212-477 1363, patterson.no-art.info/gallery/overview.html)
This appointment-only gallery was founded in 1986 and has weathered the storm of gentrification around the Bowery. Rather than showcase well-known artists, owner Clayton Patterson highlights emerging talent whose aesthetics he personally loves. Leroy calls him “the last original documentarian” of the neighborhood. “I love going there because it doesn’t feel like the New Museum,” says Leroy, who believes the larger institution tries to purchase street cred.

The Hole Gallery 312 Bowery between Bleecker and E Houston Sts (212- 466-1100, theholenyc.com)
This art gallery is another of Leroy’s favorite haunts, though not just for the artwork. “They have a cool retail shop,” he says of the space, which sells limited-edition posters, printed hoodies and ephemera from various artists. “[Owner Kathy Grayson] supports street artists and young talent,” says Leroy. “She goes with her gut.

Mantiques Modern 146 W 22nd St between Sixth and Seventh Aves, suite 1 (212- 206-1494, mantiquesmodern.com)
If money were no object, Leroy says he’d shop exclusively at this high-end antiques store, which is run by his good friend Cory Margolis. “You’ll find things there that you’ve never seen before,” he enthuses.

Obscura Antiques & Oddities 207 Ave A at 13th St (212-505-9251, obscuraantiques.com)
“They buy all the creepy stuff I buy,” says Leroy of this dark boutique run by the stars of the Discovery Channel show Oddities. “[They focus on] creepy, weird, American-gothic stuff,” he explains. “We have a lot of the same customers.

25th Street Flea Market 29 W 25th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-243-5343, hellskitchenfleamarket.com)
Leroy has frequented this outdoor bazaar for decades, and regularly scours it for anatomy specimens, decorative objects and furniture. Vendors often save specific pieces just for Leroy. “It’s very small, but they’ve got great things if you go there early in the morning,” he says. “It’s the last and greatest flea market in NYC.”

See more Apartment tours