Predicting a new life for antique markets
On a sunny Saturday morning, traffic was heavy along Route 272 through Adamstown in northern Lancaster County.
Cars were lined up at the traffic light at Willow Street in what should have been a busy day for the several antiques stores located in what is promoted as Antiques Capital USA.
However, the small traffic jam was for a barbecue chicken lunch pickup at the Adamstown Fire Company. The Mad Hatter Antique Mall, which sits adjacent to that traffic light, and would normally be busy on a nice May weekend, was closed. Similar stores, which dot the highway for most of the 8 miles to Ephrata, were also dark.
Like many small business owners, antiques dealers have been patiently biding their time during the coronavirus pandemic. When stores are permitted to reopen, some area dealers are confident that customers will be coming back in droves.
Kristine Landis, president of Antiques Capital USA and general manager of Mad Hatter, Pine Hills Antique Mall, Adamstown Antique Mall and German Trading Post, anticipates the majority of dealers who use her facilities will be back.
“Many of them are part-timers and this is a hobby for them — or more really a passion,” she said. “They antique for fun and the thrill of the hunt. Antiquing is in their blood and they usually do it until they die. They rarely retire.
“As for my full-time dealers, most of them also engage in online business, so they have focused on that during the pandemic. When it is over they will refocus on selling in the shops — as online will naturally slow down.”
Being able to meet face-to-face and look at the merchandise is always preferable, says Jim Renninger, who owns Renninger’s Promotions in Maxatawny Township and East Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, along with two facilities in Florida.
“Many dealers like personal contact when they are buying and selling,” he said.
Digital sales
Renninger said that while internet sales and shipping went up during the pandemic, he suspected many still made transactions in person.
“Many who normally do use the internet still will and do use it,” Renninger said. “I’ve heard about the uptick in shipping, also; however the restrictions on travel may play a part in sales. If you are familiar with the antiques business, you will find that collectors and sellers will always find a way to get together to do business. Buyers and sellers who already have a good rapport is an easier situation than doing business with someone unfamiliar.”
One dealer who has been using its digital footprint to continue sales has been Morphy’s Auctions near Denver, Lancaster County.
Morphy’s reported a successful “Automobilia & Petroliana” auction on May 13-14 that netted $1.2 million in sales.
“Market prices are stronger than ever, and interest in antique and vintage gas and oil memorabilia remains very strong,” said Dan Morphy, founder and president of Morphy Auctions, in a statement. “Our team went above and beyond in this challenging time to accommodate all customers’ bidding needs with absentee and phone bidding, and more importantly, online bidding through Morphy Live, where we debuted live streaming, which proved to be a huge hit with our customers.”
Among the 530 signs that were sold was a 1940s-vintage porcelain sign advertising Harbor Petroleum Products, of Long Beach, Calif. that went for $44,000, according to Morphy’s.
Expanded inventory?
Of course, plenty of less-expensive merchandise is sitting on the shelves at shuttered stores. When things open back up, it’s likely they will be joined by even more items. People who have had the spare time to clean out attics and basements will likely to have unearthed more inventory for dealers.
“Yes, dealers are cleaning and pricing items they have accumulated in their garages, basements and spare bedrooms,” Landis said.
“I often say what you see in a seller’s booth is only the tip of the iceberg,” Landis said. “There will be a surge of new inventory when we reopen, as well as a surge of customers rushing to see those new acquisitions. I learned firsthand years ago as a dealer myself how regular customers know exactly what you put in most recently.”
Renninger says being home bound is a great time for those who are wondering if their trash is another man’s treasure.
“It’s not only dealers that sell in the antiques business, but many people have been cleaning out at their homes,” Renninger said. “This time has given every
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