My collections grew since New Year’s Day. Wow, that was fast work. How could I resist two annual events that offer great antique hunting in this cold and gloomy season? Right on the first day of the new year, two local antique malls have a unique sale called “Dealer Dicker Days.” The stores are on sale with almost every dealer working that day. Some help out with locked cases, others were assigned the checkout counters to write-up receipts and/or help with wrapping. With the dealers in attendance, it’s easy to negotiate prices and wind up with extra savings on better purchases.
Antiques & Uniques
Wonderful Antiques and Collectibles At Waukesha Antique Mall
The malls are Waukesha Antique Mall at 1427 East Racine Avenue and Antiques & Uniques at 250 W. Main St., both located in Waukesha, Wisconsin. This event should be duplicated at other locations as it affords both buyer and seller the opportunity to discuss the joy of collecting, for the dealers to see what in their booth excites the collector and then to mutually agree on a price. Having had booths in antique malls in our distant past, we always enjoyed the camaraderie of discussing with other dealers the special winners we had sold but never mentioning our mistakes.
Thelma Welcoming Visitors
Then, this past weekend we attended the Janesville Antique Show, Janesville, Wisconsin. It’s held at the Pontiac Center and what a great setting. Large, open, clean spaces, wonderful lighting too. Steve and Thelma Bina are the show’s managers and what a great group of dealers they have managed to assemble. We were impressed with the large crowd and the wonderful variety the dealers had to offer. Attendees come from some distance for this show, with its location an easy reach from anywhere in Wisconsin and Northern Illinois via the freeways I-90 and I-39.
Impressive Crowd
Many of the sellers were old friends by now, having shared experiences at other shows, whether we up to sell or in attendance to buy. Several are companion sellers at the upcoming West Bend Antique Show. So while our intentions and results were to add to several of our own collections, we did send a good deal of time chatting with old and new friends. It’s part of what makes collecting fun.
