TLDR: Jersey Jon is Jon Szalay, a furniture restorer from Barnegat, New Jersey, and a friend of Mike Wolfe for decades. He took on a bigger role on American Pickers as Frank Fritz stopped appearing, and the show made him full-time cast in late 2023. Checked October 23, 2026.
Jersey Jon is the antiques expert who now rides along with Mike Wolfe on American Pickers. Fans know him from the road, but his day job is a restoration shop in a former bank.
Here is who Jon Szalay is, how he met Mike, and how he moved from occasional guest to regular. For the show’s wider story, see our American Pickers cast guide.
A Restorer in a Former Bank in Barnegat
Jon runs First National Antique Restoration at 708 West Bay Avenue in Barnegat, New Jersey, according to a 2012 Patch report. The History Channel says he bought an old bank building at 17 and turned it into his workshop and home.
He started restoring furniture young, and his father’s lawnmower repair shop gave him an early workbench, per HISTORY UK. He told Patch his main purpose in life is restoring antiques, especially furniture.
His specialties, per his official cast page, are early American motorcycles and the conservation of furniture and antiques. He has also ridden a 1911 Harley-Davidson in the pre-1916 Cannonball Motorcycle Rally.
Meeting Mike Wolfe
HISTORY UK says Jon met Mike more than three decades ago, when Mike agreed to find stock for his shop. Jon told Patch that Mike used to sleep on his couch in the old bank.
That history explains the easy rhythm on screen. Mike’s own story is in our guide to what happened to Mike Wolfe.
His First Appearances on the Show
Patch reports that Mike visited the Barnegat shop on April 24, 2012, to film a storyline in which Jon helps with a project. Jon said he was finally being included, and the footage was expected in the fourth season.
That is the earliest appearance we could document. Another outlet says he first appeared about 15 seasons before season 22, which does not fit a show that began in 2010, so treat that figure with caution.
HISTORY UK adds that in a 14th season episode he sold Mike and Frank motorcycle parts.
Stepping Into the Space Frank Fritz Left
For season 22, in 2021, Jon took a larger role as Frank Fritz was not appearing, Distractify reported. Frank’s side of that chapter is in our piece on what happened to Frank on American Pickers.
Frank died on September 30, 2024, at age 60, according to a statement from HISTORY reported by Fox News. Friends later honored him with the Frank Fritz man cave.
Full-Time Cast in Late 2023
TV Insider lists a December 28, 2023, article reporting that the show made Jon a full-time cast member. By then he had been appearing in more and more episodes.
Mike’s brother also joined the team, which we cover in our Robbie Wolfe profile.
What Jon Brings to a Pick
Jon’s eye for restoration shows in the details. In the season 23 episode “Flea Market Junkie,” he identified cypress columns from a Louisiana home as coopered columns from around 1880, per HISTORY UK.
In season 27’s “Picking Giants,” he and Mike bought a Stanley Steamer from a deceased man’s estate for $24,000. HISTORY UK says it was a childhood dream of Jon’s.
Where He Fits Now
Jon has kept most of his personal life private, though HISTORY UK says he spoke about his early years on The Paul Jr. Podcast in March 2025. For the question of what comes next for the show, see is American Pickers cancelled.
Jersey Jon: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jersey Jon’s real name?
His name is Jon Szalay. The nickname comes from his home state of New Jersey.
Where is Jersey Jon’s shop?
A 2012 Patch report places First National Antique Restoration at 708 West Bay Avenue in Barnegat, New Jersey.
Is Jersey Jon a full-time cast member?
TV Insider lists a December 28, 2023, report that American Pickers made him full-time.
Did Jersey Jon replace Frank Fritz?
He took a bigger role after Frank stopped appearing, but the sources I found do not describe it as a formal replacement.
