Indeed, that is an LP. LPs are a great example of how the internet brings prices down. Before the advent of internet sales and digitization, there were a slew of used record stores that could get away with charging 8 bucks or so on each item. Now you could probably find about 25 copies of ("Cat Scratch Fever" or "Scream Dream" or whatever that album in the picture is) on Amazon or Ebay at any given time, for less than 5 dollars, I'd bet.

Also included in the photo are some priceless old drumsticks and a canning jar.

no: Interesting way to pick apart my reply. I’m not referring to Ted Nugent posters in my reply, but for some people that may be a sought after item. I’m not quite sure how you became fixated on Ted Nugent posters other than one picture next to this article, which looks like an album. However, I wouldn’t disregard old albums, because there are some that are extremely tough to find or short print. It’s a buyer’s market, anyone who knows antiques or collectibles understands that. However, since the point of the story is an antique store going out of business a buyer’s market doesn’t help this particular antique store. I don’ think prices were artificially inflated on anything prior to the Internet. There was simply less supply on the market or access to it. For people who know antiques or collectibles there is still a decided advantage to coming in direct contact with an item before you buy it and some people will pay a premium for that. EBay (and other similar sites) has been riddled with lousy transactions and fakes. As a result, I still think that some antique stores wills survive. However, location will become increasingly important, because of the high cost of gas and advertising and they must also be located in places where people can afford antiques. In addition, consignment shops have been successful, which at times are similar to antique stores, and are one business model that seems to work. The owner doesn’t have to invest as much of his or her own inventory or capital to start the business and there is a regular flow of potential customers. Granted, consignment shops can be a mixed bag, but I’ve seen some good quality antiques in these stores at reasonable prices.

*In addition, younger adults aren’t as interested in collecting antiques as previous generations were.*

Seriously, a Ted Nugent poster is a "collectible antique"? Come on. It's kitsch junk.

*Moreover, the increasing use of the Internet and sites like EBay has hurt the collectible market.*

Not if you're a buyer.

*EBay has hurt the entire collectible market from plush toys to antiques. The oversupply of many once coveted treasures has caused prices on many of these items to plummet. It all boils down to supply and demand. Since the inception of EBay everyone has cleaned out their attics and started cashing in. As a result, the supply has outmatched demand for many collectible items. This causes even less demand for these items, because they readily available.*

The pre-internet model of antiquing was decidely non-egalitarian, as fluff items like the Ted Nugent poster could be horded away and supply kept artificially low. Now buyers have more choices and the market is at a more natural state.

*However, I think an antique store can still be successful provided that it isn’t a standalone business.*

Maybe if there was an internet cafe attached to it, people could look up the true price of Ted Nugent posters and decide whether or not they were being rooked.

I love to spend a lazy afternoon wandering around there too!! One of my other favorite places to go is the Columbus Antique Mall in Columbus. Its huge 4 stories I think and the top floor has furniture. I think that is the largest I have ever been too. There is also a Christopher Columbus museum in the building to.

When we were there Sunday many of the booths were having sales. I heard one person was getting out of the business altoether, and others I assume will be moving to different venues?
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Perhaps if one added a nice cafe and maybe a craft shop or other unique botique kind of business or even a bake shop/candy store they could of survived. As someone mentioned earlier it is hard to survive as a stand alone business. This could be a great oppertunity to make the antique mall more of a total outing kind of destination stop. That is if one has enough money to invest.

so if nobody takes over where will the 80 places go?

I’ve been to this antique campus a few times and always enjoyed the visit. There are numerous factors, many mentioned already, that are working against this business model. The national and local economies being the biggest two factors, but gas prices aren’t helping either. In addition, younger adults aren’t as interested in collecting antiques as previous generations were. Moreover, the increasing use of the Internet and sites like EBay has hurt the collectible market. However, where many would suggest the convenience of EBay being the contributing factor, I would argue differently. EBay has hurt the entire collectible market from plush toys to antiques. The oversupply of many once coveted treasures has caused prices on many of these items to plummet. It all boils down to supply and demand. Since the inception of EBay everyone has cleaned out their attics and started cashing in. As a result, the supply has outmatched demand for many collectible items. This causes even less demand for these items, because they readily available. I don’t think a resurging economy or lower gas prices are going to change the supply factor. However, I think an antique store can still be successful provided that it isn’t a standalone business. If properly located with other traffic generating businesses there is still hope for antique stores to survive.

This is very sad. I am in my mid-twenties, and I LOVE to spend lazy Sunday afternoons browsing (and collecting things that I didn't even know I needed). My husband is going to be be very sad too - now I will be back around the house nagging him!!
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Best wishes to you Bob!

That is so true...Ebay is a wonderful thing, but it has taken away the people out shoping for that "must have hard to find item, at the local antique or thrift shop. I like ebay, but there is something to be said for enjoying a day at the antique/consignment shop, or flea market.
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I love spending my time looking at all of the items for sale, not just what I am looking for in particular. Sometimes I find something I didn't even know I wanted, and I buy it and take home my special treasure. You really can't do that on ebay.
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I hope someone decides to buy the campus antique mall. It would be so sad to see it close for good. It is the perfect businees to be in the old Milton College gym.
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Good luck to the owners in their future endeavors.

It's not that "collectors" don't buy stuff like this [the Ted Nugent poster is a nice touch in the photo, by the way], it's just that the entire business model is outdated. You can get on Ebay or a multitude of other sites and find all this stuff without wasting fuel or time. The only thing you miss out on is the serendipity or accidentally stumbling across something. That's it.

You don't need a warehouse or huge shop for this stuff because anyone can list anything for sale that is currently sitting in their own attic or basement.

I was there yesterday and I was shocked to hear that they were going to close. I will miss being able to spend a afternoon looking at all of the neat antiques and other stuff.

will anyone take it over and keep it open??

that relly sticks. I go there frequently. what a great place to find a VASE for some flowers that are for a gift and much other needed antiques. will miss you Bob. see you in jefferson.

This is too bad, they had fantastic dealers! Take your stuff to Clinton Antiques and Artisans, there is a huge mall there that is really nice and GREAT people work/own it!!!