PLAISTOW It's easy enough to buy a telescope through a big online retailers and point it at the stars, but getting the most out of the experience requires a lot more than taking the telescope out of a box, says the owner of a telescope business.

Anthony Costanzo has run the Astronomy Shoppe on Elm Street in Plaistow for 12 years. For Costanzo, who has a background in teaching and grinding his own lenses, operating an astronomy store is about much more than just selling telescopes.

We're not just selling telescopes, we are providing a lot of information, Costanzo said. I try to get everyone who comes in here involved with a local astronomy club.

On the sales side of his business, Costanzo offers telescopes from national and international manufacturers for every one from beginners to the most experienced amateur astronomers.

A quality tabletop Orion telescope that is a perfect starter telescope for children sells for under $100.

It's in the intermediate range, and you can see the moon, the planets, and deep sky objects, Costanzo said.

On the other end of the spectrum are the American-made Questar telescopes, which features the finest mirrors and lenses and can retail for more than $5,000.

Costanzo said he has seen his business grow consistently over the past five years, and this year is set to be his best yet.

Much of that growth is due to the services and items he provides in addition to telescope sales.

The Astronomy Shoppe also sells other items, from telescope holders to Bluetooth devices that connect telescopes to tablets and smart phones, that Costanzo has made or designed.

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In Plaistow, business owner is seeing stars