FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF AN ANTIQUE SHOP
Lisa Ackerman of Orange, California shares her viewpoint
My mom and I own a real live, old fashioned antique and collectibles store. Not a space in a mall, nor do we do shows. Our store is small, we are not wealthy, and I’m sure that many who are dealers who have weighed in thus far on the State of the Market have choicer pieces in there offerings than we do.
I merely mean to add my two cents as one who observes 5 – 6 days a week the actions of shoppers. At least those who are blessed to still be employed.
We indeed have been affected and afflicted by the current trend in retailing. Our ‘Old Towne Orange’ area, once known for many antique stores is struggling to maintain a presence amidst the onslaught of trendy restaurants who pay landlords more rent than retailers. They are patronized by folks who would much rather spend 30.00- 50.00 a person for dinner and drinks, or of course more, than they would take home a quality home furnishing, be it antique or new.
Those in the demographic of 25-45, who it would be supposed are feathering their home nests are unlike their parents and grand parents in that they don’t ‘collect’ anything. Today’s young miss doesn’t want an example of different pieces made by a particular manufacturer or category of goods, but instead wants just one platter,(chipped? She doesn’t care…she just wants ‘the look’) for that one wall in her Great Room. It must look like the one she saw on the Decorating show on TV, and it would be nice to pick up the highlights in her rug.
Own a set of china? Does it go in the microwave and dishwasher? No? Her darling children might break a piece? Then it has no place in her home. Besides..she’ll just change her design style in 5 years anyway, and it will all go in a garage sale.
We are blessed to have recently been able to find a nearby storefront to move our shop too, displaced by a landlord who has a restaurant eager for our former place of business for 29 years.
Yet we press on! We are upgrading our stock, aware of the axiom that Better Goods do indeed find a market, especially little things. And decorative things. And shiny things that can adorn the ever elusive shopper. AND we have to compete with the dreaded E-bay by pricing our goods accordingly. We threw out all our old general price guides when we moved…not worth the precious space on the bookshelves they would take up.
Of course this is a bitter pill not only for us, but for those who are ‘downsizing’, who remember when their American Oak furniture was the darling of the antique shows and are disappointed to hear that their treasured Haviland set is not going to find a new home very quickly. Their kids don’t want it. And the market is not supporting the price they thought they’d get for it. Sigh.
Guess we’ll just hope for their GRANDkids to stage a counter attack on their parents Spartan decorating style, and find space in THEIR homes for Grandma’s china cabinet.

Here’s to quality goods made with integrity, those who appreciate them, and to the Good Lord who oversees all of us and our needs. 🙂 Lisa in Orange, CA