Keary Riedel has been collecting antiques and toys for almost thirty years and has amassed an extremely large volume and variety.  “About ten years ago, I decided to specialize in old toys and advertising memorabilia”, Keary replied when asked about his current inventory.  “The nice thing about toys is the fact that they have always shown some appreciation year after year.  I have never seen a downturn in toy values.”

Keary also specializes in advertising items and has a good selection of gas & oil, railroad, military, and “guy stuff” that seems to be scarce and in high demand currently.  He said the he has found his niche at the Colorado Antique Gallery where he has displayed and sold for almost two years.  Keary said, “I am grateful that the owner and staff put up with me since I spend most of me free time at the Gallery visiting with customers and ‘harassing’ the employees.”

Keary sends his heartfelt “thanks” to the staff and customers of the Gallery and said that his experience here has been very positive and pleasurable.

LuAnn and Denny have been dealers at Colorado Antique Gallery for over sixteen years.  They were previously in another mall across town and starting selling at the Gallery in 1995.  LuAnn said, “The experience was so positive that we now sell exclusively at the Gallery and have three booths on the ‘Littleton Blvd’ aisle.”  Their dealer number in 009.

While the Dahl’s sell a little bit of everything, LuAnn’s focus is on holiday collectibles (which is also her hobby) and Denny sells mostly “guy” stuff with an emphasis on old toy cars and trucks.

The Dahl’s said that they love the Gallery because of its great location, extensive advertising, and wonderful staff.  “Glenda, Dale, Ron, Maggie and the rest of the staff are so helpful and professional.  George is a walking encyclopedia of knowledge and is an incredible salesman!”

“We got into the antique business to sell excess items from our own collections and we soon discovered that we get great joy in helping patrons of the Gallery find new treasures for their own collections,” said Denny.  They enjoy a superior reputation for quality, selection, price, and have many regular customers who they keep in mind when purchasing their inventory.

LuAnn said, “We have learned so much about other areas of specialty from the great dealers at the Gallery; it’s a joy to be part of the Gallery team!”

Debra Platt has been a long-time Dealer at the Gallery.  Her Dealer Number is 98 and you can’t miss her display area on the very front row just north of the sales counter.

When asked how she became an antiques dealer Debra said “For me, the antiques and collectibles business comes naturally.  Having grown up going to all of the California antique shows, visiting the flea markets (the Rose Bowl was only 25 cents entrance fee back then) and my favorite thrift shops helped to make it a passion.  As I developed into a seasoned buyer, my knowledge and eye for the unusual grew and matured.”

Her affinity for all things old and her natural decorating ability allows Debra’s space at the Mall to always be fresh, new and exciting.  “During my many years at Colorado Antique Gallery there have been numerous changes, but it has always remained a fun and friendly place to display and treasure hunt.”

Debra’s space is jammed packed full of chic painted furniture; new and old oil paintings that have become the “icing on the cake’ in home design.  She is also a principal in Patina Antiques & Home located at 5989 S University Boulevard, just south of Orchard in Greenwood Village.  The Mall and the Shop are an artfully arranged fresh mix of antiques and decorator items that are sure to please even the most discriminating buyer.

This month the Featured Dealer is Memories and Stuff (MAS), owned by Larry and Sally Arnold. You will probably recognize their smiling faces in the jewelry kiosk at the Antique Gallery during the Christmas Holiday Sale and the March Anniversary Sale.

Memories and Stuff  began in December, 1994 as an antique hobby.   The owners, Larry and Sally Arnold, entered the business of buying and selling antiques and collectibles by renting a booth at the Colorado Antique Gallery on South Broadway in Littleton, Colorado.

The business grew and MAS expanded into a second booth and then larger booths within the Gallery.  Their business expanded to include antiques shows in 1996.   They have exhibited at 294 shows.  This past year they drove 35,000 miles exhibiting at 26 antique shows from coast to coast, uniquely focusing on estate jewelry and unusual English antiques. When asked where he gets his antiques, Larry replied, “We have purchased many of these items on buying trips to England, as well as shopping malls and antique shows.  We also purchase estates of  jewelry in the U.S.”

“We want our jewelry to be affordable.  Our customer base consists of people from all walks of life, with a variety of tastes.  We want to be able to meet their needs and desires.  People show very diverse preferences, even within the world of fine jewelry.  There are so many choices.  Our customers are looking for value, as well as unique pieces.  They love to hear a good story. Our buying focuses on special, unique pieces.”
The Arnold’s also said “that they continue to evaluate malls based on: observed traffic, front location, security, advertising, management attitude, mall employee attitude and knowledge, and rent.  The Colorado Antique Gallery ranks at the top of our list for all of these.”

When asked what they enjoy most about the business, Larry said “its got to be the buying and selling antiques, the research, people in the industry, unique items for collections, and the opportunity to refine our collections.  This is what it’s all about!”

“Someone once said, you should find something you’re good at and enjoy, and do it for the rest of your life.  We think this is it.  We have a passion for the industry.”

A long time Dealer at Colorado Antique Gallery, Fred first joined the Mall in January 1993.  He started with a small booth in the northeast corner of the Mall.  Fred said “slowly but surely his sales grew and he knew he had made the right decision in choosing the Colorado Antique Gallery to display and sell his antiques and collectibles”.  In short order Fred decided to expand and took one of the larger spaces in the middle of the Mall.

With a full line of vintage items, Fred also had an extensive line of quality jewelry in all prices ranges and noticed that it was the jewelry that was becoming more and more popular, so he decided to specialize in gold and silver.  He also noticed that the souvenir spoons were also becoming quite popular.  He found that many of his customers were thrilled with the different designs in the bowls and handles.  These, along with the silver and gold jewelry were generating most of his sales.

The giant step came when Fred decide to take an even larger space in the front of the store directly behind the west sale counter.  His booth number is 44.  You can’t miss it.  It is a terrific location jammed-packed full of beautiful gold and silver jewelry items.  “The giant decision to make this move caused a few restless nights”, but Fred took the challenge.  He purchased several jewelry display cases and made the move in January 1996.  It’s been more that fourteen years since Fred made the big move and his only regret is the he did not do it sooner.  He has developed a large number of top-notch clientele over the years and the majority of his sales is now repeat customers.  His inventory changes rapidly, so you’ll find many new items each time you visit.

Fred feels that “jewelry sometimes has a mystery about it and customers have to get comfortable with the seller and know the integrity of who they are dealing with.  Fred works daily from 10 to 2 at Aspen Jewelry in Englewood where his son is the owner; then spends the rest of the day working his booth at the Gallery.
Fred’s display is a must see when you’re visiting the Colorado Antique Gallery.  Don’t hesitate to see or ask for Fred in person if you’re there in the afternoon.  He is very personable and will enjoy speaking with you about gold and silver jewelry.

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The Keller’s too, have been long time dealers at the Gallery, selecting their space prior to the Mall opening in October, 1992.  Their booth number is 24 and their display area is located due south of the main sales counter.

Carole and Harold have been collecting Glass and China of the Depression Era for about 30 years. They started out as collectors and loved it so much, that they became hobbyist, and eventually sellers.  “The collection got so overwhelming that we had little choice but to start selling”, Harold said.  Their display area at the Colorado Antique Gallery contains a wide array of top quality Depression Glass and China; both in price and uniqueness.

“Items we especially like are pieces that are uncommon, rare and extremely hard to find.  These include Depression glass patterns from Adam to Windsor. China patterns in Franciscan, Russel Wright, Homer Laughlin and Blue Ridge.  In the Elegant glass patterns, these include Fostoria, Heisey, Cambridge, Tiffin, Duncan & Miller and other glass companies.”

The Kellers also have many Barware items from the prohibition era such as shot glasses, cordials, muddlers, and much, much more.  The inventory items in Harold’s Collectables are timeless and continue, today, to be utilized for formal and informal dinning as well as just collecting as the Kellers have done.

When visiting the Gallery, don’t miss this beautiful display of rare vintage Glass, China, and Barware.

When asked about their experiences at Colorado Antique Gallery, Bob said, “One of the really nice aspects of being a dealer at the Mall is the many acquaintances and friendships you make. There are really a lot of nice people in the antique business.  Going to the Mall for us is akin to “Cheers” where everybody knows your name. We have experienced some highs and lows from a sales standpoint, which anyone in this business can identify with.  But the fun and challenges of antiquing far outweigh any downside.”

Bob is more the collector than Mona.  This includes clocks, Red Wing Pottery (they both grew up in Red Wing, Minnesota) paper collectables, inkwells, Lladros, etc.  This has been helped along by their living in Germany and Bob’s visits to more than 50 countries during his career in International Sales.

Bob feels that collecting can be a true adventure.  “Many times ‘the hunt’ is just as much fun as building a collection.  Almost everyone likes to collect something, and it seems nothing is exempt when it comes to collecting these days.  That is one reason we feel that the Colorado Antique Gallery, with over 275 dealers, is good place to shop because you will not only find a wide range of ever-changing merchandise, but where there is most always ‘something for everyone’.”

“Len Duffey has put together a top notch Antique Mall that compares well with any you might find anywhere;  and the staff from Glenda on down do a terrific job of supporting the dealers and helping customers in a friendly way.”

If you are not already familiar with the Deden’s collection it’s a “must see” the next time you’re shopping the Mall. The overall quality and uniqueness is exceptional.

Stay tuned for future Featured Dealers that will give more insights into antiquing and their personal experiences at Colorado Antique Gallery.