SLIM PICKINS!
TV junkman Frank Fritz’s antique store gets trashed
REALITY TV antiques expert Frank Fritz is facing a backlash from customers who claim his shop is spiraling out of control since he was axed from American Pickers!
The 58-year-old treasures and artifacts finder was bounced from the History Channel series in July after he took a hiatus to recover from back surgery that involved inserting two rods in his spine and 185 stitches.
Now, his Illinois store Frank Fritz Finds is being trashed online by disgruntled customers who claim it’s “disorganized” and “going downhill.”
“If I were Frank I would be ashamed to have my name put on this place. What a joke. We traveled over two hours to come here. Don't waste your time!!!” reads one review.
Another writes: “The antique store was disappointing. Disorganized with poor lighting with very little items of interest.”
Other grumpy comments include, “Antique part seems [to be] going downhill” and “Not much here worth the price being asked.”
As GLOBE previously reported, Frank last appeared on Pickers in March 2020 amid a falling-out with his former TV partner of 21 seasons, Mike Wolfe.
Following his surgery, he dropped 65 pounds and, most importantly, quit booze during a 77-day stay at an Iowa rehab center.
“I went to rehab and I’ve been sober now for 11 months,” boasts the new cleanliver. “I didn’t like drinking anymore. My mom was an alcoholic and she died five years ago and it was alcohol-related.
“My grandfather was an alcoholic
and he died. That didn’t sit well with me.”
Meanwhile, he’s struggling to pay $5,038 in taxes on a two-bedroom, one-bath Iowa farmhouse he bought for $130,000 in 2010.
As for his lousy reviews, he got some good ones, too.
“The place was great, I found an old bomber jacket I was searching for on the internet and I got a great deal on the price,” gushes one shopper.
Another writes: “A nice store with a good selection of oddball stuff.”
Says a third: “Awesome place Frank Fritz is the man.”