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Strong turnout for arena’s inaugural antique event

By Jessica Groover
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The Greater Charlotte Antique and Collectibles Show made its debut at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center last weekend, drawing more than 150 exhibitors and thousands of local residents.

“Yesterday was the largest Friday attendance I’ve ever had for a regular show, and today’s has more than tripled yesterday’s, so I’m more than delighted,” said Lydia Sullivan, general manager of the show, on Saturday.

Sullivan estimated that more than 3,000 people attended the show on Saturday. Some exhibitors came from places as far as Canada, Florida, Georgia and Michigan to sell furniture, jewelry, pottery, flatware, rugs, chandeliers, clothes, paintings, quilts and other items.

While the show was about antiques, Sullivan was quick to add that there were other items available.

“It’s not really a bunch of old stuff,” Sullivan said.

For some people, like Rick Tesch from Midhill, it was a time to look around and see new items. Tesch and his wife usually attend antique shows three to four times a year.

Others, like Linda Friends of Charlotte have a more specific goal in mind as they walk around.

“I look for silver butter knives,” Friends said. “I like for everybody to have their own special butter knife. People like it, because it’s totally different.”

Tommie Burleson from Albemarle has been going to antique shows for 25 years and collects country store merchandise, such as thermometers and signs. She also looks for antique sewing kits and thimbles.

Even though Burleson had not found anything to add to her collection, she was pleased with the selection and enjoyed seeing familiar and new vendors.

For most of the exhibitors, the crowd was a nice surprise for setting up at a new venue. Beth Darras, a vendor from Chattanooga, Tenn., sold jewelry, art and antiques with her husband.

Her father-in-law’s collection of steins caught the attention of one man who bought two of them, bringing his collection to 978 steins. Darras was not surprised that sales did so well, despite the economy.

“If collectors see something they really want, they’ll buy it,” Darras said. “You don’t have to be rich to be a collector.”

People of all ages came to the show. Even though some said they were just looking, Sullivan said that everyone had something in common.

“Everybody has a collecting gene,” Sullivan said. “Collecting is an inherent part of human nature.”

Contact reporter Jessica Groover: 704-789-9152.