REPORT FROM THE WEST COAST
Wayne & Jan Montano of Montano’s Glass Repair provide us a sense of the overall market on the West Coast.

We both talked to a large number of dealers who have done shows these past 3-4 weeks from coast to coast. Starting with the Hillsborough Show was a mix of opinions. Most very positive. Sales were strong and the gate was average. The weather was too good to keep folks indoors. It has been vetted for a strong true antique show. First time in years the general public had very positive comments to us. Quality sold strong and art and art glass with cut glass leading the pack. The show seems to be selling more of a decorator item than “the gotta have it collector” that puts it in the back of the cabinet (that would be me).

Fresno had a very strong gate and most dealers did very well. Farmers are hurting very badly there, but money was being spent at the show.

Del-Mar was a mixed bag. Weather was an issue for one of the 3 days and then sunshine. The Saturday gate was very busy and sales were strong. Jewelry is very strong at that show. But art glass and cut glass are right behind. Some of the dealers we spoke with discounted on the mid level items, but had no problem selling the high end. Sterling went very strong there.

A dealer friend did both Miami shows and sold very strong with good art and cut glass. He does discount some, but not much and only to good customers.

One of our long time furniture dealer friends who does only west coast shows says, that anything in red furniture is dead. Has been for about a year. Golden oak has become king again. Go figure???? On the West Coast, “The McMansions” are now a thing of the past and they were filled with BIG RED EUROPEAN anything.

Portland Expo show is a mix bag of everything. We stopped doing the
show about 2 years ago. The reports we get are really all over the place. High quality is very weak and the hunt is always fun.

Spokane we hear is wonderful for Victorian anything and we are told
most of California has migrated there with real estate money. We hear the show is always jammed with great stuff.

Boise is not a good spot to find too much. Shows are all but gone and
the want for quality is very low. We find very little here. But there is always hope.

Anyways, that is our West Coast update for the antique market. I think most of the Mom and Pop antique dealers doing this as a retirement supplement are all but gone. Those only doing this as a occupation are in it for the long haul. It just depends on how much fun we have in the hunt for the next great bargain to be found.