Recently, I was asked about some of the sports memorabilia of players who fell from grace, such as Adrian Peterson and Ray Rice. Should folks sell, collect or just lay low for awhile?
I went to Tom Bartsch, managing editor at Sports Collectors Digest . He said, "Regarding Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson, for those who haven't pulled their products off the shelves, sales have slowed to a crawl. Collectors should not sell because, just as you shouldn't sell stocks at their lowest point, you shouldn't sell collectibles when you'll get a fraction of what you paid for the items originally.
"That said, for those who are unloading, now is a great time to buy. We all know sports fans and collectors: Time and success heal all wounds. Will prices ever get back to where they were, especially in Peterson's case? Probably not, but that doesn't mean prices will remain at basement level going forward," Bartsch said.
New shop names and new ownership
With the economy changing, business owners sell, a name or location changes, dealers come in or leave and additions are added onto shops with new items to collect.
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At the Mississippi Mercantile, Lake City, dealer Mavis Hawkins said, "I am phasing out of the antique business and will be done on Dec. 31. Therefore, I will not be of assistance to customers in the future. I want to thank you for the publicity I received by your past stories about me and my collections and my partnership in the Mississippi Mercantile."
So what is the scoop with the name change? Deb Schreck tells us: "As of July 1, 2014, the ownership of Mississippi Mercantile changed in that Mavis was no longer a partner, and Greg and I became sole owners. At that time, I considered a name change as well. Greg and I have had the assumed name of Lakeside Antiques since 2006, so that was a possibility. Also, because our focus was going to be the sale of antiques and vintage items and because the search for those things is now via the Internet, I thought it might be wise to have the word 'antiques' in our name.
"I ran this idea by my two Internet-savvy sons, and they both agreed that we should change the name," Schreck said. "Since that time, I took a class on Internet marketing and hope to use what I learned to create a website and get Lakeside Antiques on the world wide web map."
Brenda and Doug Jannsen, who were dealers for several years at Sugar Loaf Antiques & Crafts, 1023 Sugar Loaf Road, Winona, are the new owners of the business.
Brenda said, "As of Dec. 9, our business was official! Treasures Under Sugar Loaf is the new name. My husband and I are still hammering out the business hours, but it's likely we'll be open Thursdays through Mondays."
Al and Peg Chihak, owners of Mystic Moon Antiques & Collectibles, moved their business in Stewartville to 1600 Second Ave. N.W., next to Pizza Ranch.
"The adventure continues with our move, and we hope this gives our friends better parking and visibility," Al Chihak said. "Some of our dealers came with us and have included more items for your enjoyment. We are just 10 miles south of Rochester. We also have Peg's homemade soap, Amish honey, maple syrup, fancy works and fudge that make great gifts anytime."
Marlin Miner said, "My shop, Coffee Street Peddler Antiques, is still in Lanesboro, but another shop, Bittersweet Boutique and Antiques, has closed this fall for good in Lanesboro."
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Keep on eye on this column as things are happening at Generations of Harmony. Spokeswoman Trista O'Connor said, "I'll find out just how much information I can get and share for your next column." Sounds like something is brewing.
In memory of Gordon Cariveau
Gordon Cariveau, longtime owner of Antiques Oronoco, died this week in a car accident.
His wife, Yvonne Cariveau, recalled for me a few years ago how the couple's store developed.
"Learning more about good quality antiques and wanting to move more in that direction with the business and not to feel like gypsies on the road, moving around, Gordon and I took the business onto Highway 52 with the advice of a good friend and mentor, Earl Berg, owner of Berg's Antiques, Oronoco," she said.
People came in every day to tell Gordon and Yvonne what a great shop they had.
"We feel as individual shop owners, we are really able to deal with our customers, know their wants, and many have become close friends," she said. "We definitely found out what we wanted to be when we grew up! We have enjoyed the constant learning experience, the constant treasure hunt, travel throughout the United States due to the business, and our many customers/friends."
"It has given us great satisfaction," she said, "and yes, I think we are close to achieving our goal in the antique business but there is always that one special antique to be purchased or that one special customer/friend to be found."
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