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.”