Matt Peacock put out ornamental Christmas boxes in his antiques booth at the Dixie Class Fairgrounds yesterday as a hint that it's the holiday season.
"Most of what we have is very scarce, hard to find," said Peacock, who sells Early American elegant glass items.
His business, Double M Antiques & Uniques in Winston-Salem, was one of about 100 exhibitors at the 65th Winston-Salem Antiques Extravaganza. The show and sale, which features antiques and old collectibles, started Friday and will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.
Like many industries, the antiques business has been affected by the economy.
Peacock, who has exhibited at the Antiques Extravaganza for five years, said he is doing fewer antiques shows because of high gas prices and other expenses.
On the other hand, he said, he has been able to buy quality goods 40 percent cheaper than he could two years ago because some collectors need the cash and simply want to unload them.
Susie Clodfelter, a co-promoter of the Antiques Extravaganza, said that the economy is part of the reason why the antiques show cut back from its usual two shows to just one this year in Winston-Salem.
She also said that a lot of the dealers who participated in the show for years have passed on or retired.
Several dealers yesterday, including Peacock, said that Friday was a good sales day, and they hoped to do well through today.
Dennis Longmire of Out House Antiques of Mount Dora, Fla., and George Judd of The Judds in Advance have been with the show since it started in 1977. Antiques Extravaganza was originally housed in an old tobacco warehouse where The Grande Theatre now sits on University Parkway.
Longmire, who deals in a lot of early American pantry products, said that much of his success is from repeat customers.
"You develop a reputation with your clientele," he said.
He said the secret to the antiques business is buying an item at the right price so it can be resold at a reasonable price.
Judd deals primarily in American Country items and said he likes original finishes and surfaces.
He said he has had to adjust his prices somewhat because of the economy.
"Right now, if dealers are honest with you, they are selling at cost or below," Judd said. "It's because you have to move inventory."
Many shoppers said they were looking for antiques and collectibles for themselves and not as holiday gifts.
Barbara Boggs of Haw River attended the show with her husband, Buddy, and brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Becky Jones of Summerfield.
"I like the glassware," Boggs said.
Her husband was looking for Casper whiskey jugs.
Arley and Jessica Mitchell of Greensboro said they did all their holiday shopping Friday and just wanted to see what the show had to offer.
"If we see something really unusual we really like, we might buy it," Arley Mitchell said.
fdaniel@wsjournal.com
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