W.D. Pickers celebrates 30 years in business

by Patti Klinge | Mar 4, 2023 | Mid-American

March 2023 …

W.D. Pickers celebrates 30 years in business

W.D. Pickers Antique Mall turns 30 this year – that’s 30 years of beckoning travelers driving down 371 Highway in Platte City to enjoy a unique shopping experience (and a bit of rest).

The mall boasts 10,000 square feet and more than 120 dealers in its showroom, filled to the brim with pottery, china, advertising, toys, jewelry, records, books, furniture, primitives, sports memorabilia, and holiday items.

Owner Greg Wiley’s father owned the business for its first 10 years in operation; Wiley bought it in 2003.
He says that as a small business owner, there’s plenty to enjoy about working in the antiques industry.

“I like doing a bit of everything, especially working with customers. I just love antiques and working with them,” Wiley tells Discover Vintage America. “I’m super fortunate to have great vendors who have a wide variety of stuff. They keep it fresh, and it’s quality merchandise.”

W.D. Pickers also stays busy in cyberspace with its eBay store at www.ebay.com/str/wdpickersantiquemall. The antique mall is located at 16095 371 Highway in Platte City.

For more information, call the store at 816-858-3100, visit www.wdpickers.com or e-mail info@wdpickers.com.

W.D. Pickers

Vintage rabbit and Easter-themed decorations greet shoppers at W.D. Pickers Antique Mall, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023. (Image courtesy of Facebook)

Part II of Blessing auction will feature more high-quality Victorian antiques

by Patti Klinge | Mar 3, 2023 | Vintage

March 2023 …

Part II of Blessing auction will feature more high-quality Victorian antiques

The second and final part of the antique auction of the Ron Blessing Estate Collection will take place on March 18 at Woody Auction in Douglass.

The estate’s collection features many fine glass and silver Victorian collectibles, cultivated over the years by the late Ron Blessing, a resident of Kearney, NE.

“Ron’s ultimate desire was to turn his Kearney warehouse into a fully displayed showroom of the finest antiques available and to host large dinner parties surrounded by the whole Victorian atmosphere,” according to Woody Auction’s website. “As with many collectors, Ron’s tastes evolved with French Cameo art glass and Cut Glass becoming passions. Consequently, he managed to acquire some of the most sought-after pieces in the country. His magnificent antiques needed to be properly displayed, so Ron commenced collecting only the finest furniture. This auction features R.J. Horner, A.J. Johnson, and Alexander Roux pieces of the utmost quality.”

Online bidding will be available at www.liveauctioneers.com/woody-auction-llc. Register at least 48 hours in advance of the event. Absentee bids are due by noon on March 16.

For more information, e-mail info@woodyauction.com or visit www.woodyauction.com/ron-blessing-auction-part-2.

Woody Auction

Part II of the Ron Blessing Estate Collection auction, scheduled for March 18, will feature Victorian antiques, including glass and silver. Image courtesy of Woody Auction LLC

Artisans to feature their works at Spring Handmade Market

by Patti Klinge | Mar 3, 2023 | Vintage

March 2023..

Artisans to feature their works at Spring Handmade Market

The annual Spring Open House and Handmade Market is coming back to the Greenwood Vintage Market in Greenwood, March 17-19.

Artists and crafters will be on hand to meet with shoppers to sell their wares and discuss their creative processes. Items ranging from candles to soaps to clothing to accessories will be on sale, and live music will be provided.
Greenwood Vintage Market is located on Greenwood’s bustling Main Street, where several other antique stores can be found within walking distance of one another, so come out and plan to make a day of it.

For more information, call the Greenwood Vintage Market at 816-537-7172.

Add to your collection at the Bottle and
Jar Show

by Patti Klinge | Mar 3, 2023 | Vintage

March 2023 …

Add to your collection at the Bottle and Jar Show

Collectors will be come from afar in search of that one special jar at the upcoming Bottle and Jar Show, March 19 at Orlando Gardens in St. Louis. The show is sponsored by the St. Louis Bottle Collectors Association.

The show will feature more than 100 tables selling antique bottles, fruit jars, pottery, brewiana, insulators, advertising, and more. It will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with admission costing $3. Children are free, and food and drink will be available to purchase.

For more information, call 314-570-6917 or e-mail patsy_jett@yahoo.com.

St. Louis Bottle & Jar Show

Find a variety of bottles, jars and more at the 52nd Annual Bottle and Jar Show, March 19 in St. Louis. (Image courtesy of Facebook)

Get ready for a spectacular time at Antique Spectacular

by Patti Klinge | Mar 3, 2023 | Vintage

March 2023 …

Get ready for a spectacular time at Antique Spectacular

You never know just what you’ll find at the Antique Spectacular Vintage Market, March 3-5 at the QCCA Expo Center in Rock Island.
Items from the quirky to the rusty to the funky will be up for grabs at the show. Antique Spectacular is the brainchild of Kimberly Schilling, who, along with her Melting Pot Productions, has been producing antique shows throughout the Midwest for nearly 30 years. Schilling has “developed a foundation for success built on the integrity of demanding quality antiques and collectibles,” according to the event’s website.

Admission to the event is $8, with a $1-off coupon available at www.antiquespectacular.com. Children under the age of 14 are free when accompanied by an adult with a ticket.

For more information, call 712-326-9964.

Antique Spectacular Vintage Market

The deals at the Antique Spectacular Vintage Market will be hot, hot, hot. (Image courtesy of Antique Spectacular)

Bella Rustina back in Arkansas

by Patti Klinge | Mar 3, 2023 | Vintage

March 2023 …

Bella Rustina back in Arkansas

Bella Rustina Vintage Market is returning to Little Rock just in time for spring, with a show March 10-12 in the concourse of the War Memorial Stadium.

Shoppers are invited to come marvel at more than 225 booths, stuffed with vintage, vintage-inspired and handmade items brought in from sellers from multiple states.

Those vendors who wish to participate and sell their wares can submit an application on Bella Rustina’s website at www.bellarustina.com.

Admission for early buyers on March 10 is $10, while regular admission on March 11-12 is $5. Parking is free as well. The event is hosted by Ashley’s Finds LLC.

For more information, call 501-230-5728.

Antique Spectacular Vintage Market

Bella Rustina events always bring with them the whimsical and quirky – and its spring Little Rock event is scheduled for March 10-12. (Image courtesy of Facebook)

Warm up with hot deals at Paramount
Antique Malls

by Patti Klinge | Feb 9, 2023 | Vintage

February 2023 …

Warm up with hot deals at Paramount Antique Malls

It may be chilly outside, but you can pop into one of Paramount Antique Mall’s three locations in Augusta and Wichita and get warm with some great bargains in January and February.

Paramount’s “Baby, It’s Cold Outside Sale” takes place Jan. 20-22 at all three locations, where shoppers can take 10% off on their purchase. And in February, be sure to stop by for the malls’ President’s Day Weekend Mega Sale, when you can save 10-50% at all locations (excluding items already discounted or on sale). Browse the inventory of glassware, advertising, textiles, coins, jewelry, pottery, china, furniture, primitives, industrial, paper ephemera, and home décor.

For more information, visit www.paramountantiquemall.com.

Antique Spectacular Vintage Market

Brighten up any room with art, furniture, and other items from the Antique Spectacular Vintage Market, March 3-5 at the QCCA Expo Center in Rock Island, IL. (Image courtesy of Facebook)

Shop trains next generation of piano techs

by Patti Klinge | Feb 9, 2023 | Vintage

February 2023 …

Shop trains next generation of piano techs

Tucked among the number of antique shops within Kansas City’s Historic West Bottoms is All Keyed Up Piano Shop, a place to shop for your ideal vintage piano, or to get yours serviced by professionals who can give it a second life.

Owned by Steve Waters, All Keyed Up has been in business for nearly five years, with an impressive inventory of spinnets, grands, uprights, organs and more. Waters, who has more than 30 years of experience in the field, says he draws the instruments from a variety of sources, including donations, consignment, estate sales, and pieces he’s purchased himself. Many of the pianos have been produced during the Golden Age of Pianos, usually between the years of 1875 and 1932; the era is defined as a time when pianos were built not simply as instruments to be played but as works of art, constructed with care and superior craftsmanship.

“The craftsmen who were caring for these pianos had a lot of pride and love for what they did,” Waters explains. “It wasn’t just for profit; their motivation was creating a great product. … You don’t cut corners to help the bottom line; you make superior instruments.”
What sets All Keyed Up apart from other piano sales and repair shops is Waters’ mentorship program, in which those interested in vintage piano repair and restoration may work directly with Waters and his team in order to learn the trade. The shop has drawn apprentices from a variety of backgrounds and ages, from Vietnam veterans to teenagers (his youngest apprentice, a 17-year-old named Ethan, is intelligent, hard-working and “has a bright future ahead of him,” Waters says).

He says he has two primary reasons for staying in this type of business for so long.

“Making people happy is a big motivator, and so is preserving history,” Waters says. “I’m able to save a lot of pianos that may not see the light of day again.”

For more information, call All Keyed Up at 816-699-6332 or visit www.allkeyeduppiano.com.

C.C. Briggs Upright Style piano

This restored 1888 C.C. Briggs Upright Style piano features “beautiful Rosewood & Mahogony woods with elaborate carvings throughout, including the front panel inlays,” according to the business’ Facebook page. In addition to selling and repairing pianos of all kinds, shop owner Steve Waters also takes on students who work directly with him and learn how to keep such pieces in good condition. (Image courtesy of Facebook)

Welcome the spring with Vintage Market Days

by Patti Klinge | Feb 8, 2023 | Vintage

March 2023 …

Welcome the spring with Vintage Market Days

A new season means fabulous new finds at the upcoming spring Vintage Market Days event, March 24-26 in Kansas City.
Shoppers will enjoy browsing original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, home décor, consumable yummies and outdoor furnishings, according to Vintage Market Days’ website.

“Each Vintage Market Days event is a unique opportunity for vendors to display their talents and passions in creative venues,” the site adds. “We have a uniquely curated selection of local, regional and national vendors you can’t find anywhere else.”
The spring market will take place at Village West, 10500 Parallel Parkway. The early buying event ($15) will be offered from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 24, with $10 general admission on the 25th (10-5) and 26th (10-4). Tickets available at the gate.

For more information on this and other upcoming Vintage Market Days events around the region, visit www.vintagemarketdays.com.

Vintage Market Days

Vintage Market Days isn’t just a place for antiques, vintage and vintage-inspired items – you also can stock up on clothing, accessories, and even handmade jewelry to complete your new spring look. The next event will be March 24-26 in Kansas City, KS. (Image courtesy of Facebook)

Bob’s Powerhouse opens in Phillipsburg

by Patti Klinge | Nov 29, 2022 | Mid-American

December 2022 …

Bob’s Powerhouse opens in Phillipsburg

For high-quality antiques as well as repairs, look no further than Bob’s Powerhouse Antiques Refinishing and Restoration, which recently opened for business in Phillipsburg.

Owner Bob Lefever will host a grand opening of the new location on Dec. 1.

Bob’s Powerhouse specializes in dental and doctor cabinets, country oak, general store items and primitives, just to name a few. Besides offering refinishing and restoration services, the business boasts more than 4,200 square feet in retail and wholesale space.
The Phillipsburg location can be found at exit 118 when taking Interstate 44 eastbound; when going westbound on I-44, take the County Road exit.

Bob’s Powerhouse Antiques Refinishing and Restoration can be found at bobs-powerhouse-antiques.business.site or call Lefever at 417-669-0379.

Restored Oak Secretary

This beautifully restored oak secretary is one of the many fine pieces in Bob Lefever’s inventory. (Image courtesy of Bob Lefever)