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- Editor’s
Note:
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- This
column is a regular feature in the Wayback Times in which my
husband takes interesting people out to lunch … and sends
me the bill.
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- (It's
a tough job, but someone has to do it!)
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- Send
us an e-mail if you have someone in mind for one of Peter Neilly's
interviews over lunch.
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- Peter Neilly is Out
to Lunch
- Breaking bread with
interesting people
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- Out to Lunch!
- with Peter Neilly
 Today's Out To Lunch
guests are Adrian Tinline of Adrian Tinline Antiques in
Bowmanville and Stefan McKey of Stefan McKey Antiques
in Cavan. Adrian and Stefan are great examples of the younger
generation of antique dealers in Ontario. They have agreed to
meet for lunch at The Village Inn in Bowmanville to share ideas
and opinions of the current antique market.
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- Peter: Thank you both for meeting with me. Many people
get into this business as dealers after they retire from their
full time jobs, and sometimes collectors end up with so much
stuff they have to start selling it off. Before we get into this
interview, why don't you tell me how you got started?
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- Adrian: It all started for me attending the Pickering
Flea Market in the field back in 1972 with my parents, who were
antique dealers. Then they moved into the Sheridan Mall in Pickering,
where every Sunday morning I was up and adam at 5 a.m. to move
in the week's finds and help set the booth and later in the day
crashing under the card table for an afternoon nap. As early
as I can remember, I was hauled across the countryside from show
to show. My dad had an auction business in the '80s and he still
gives me advice. He has a lot of knowledge that he has gained
over the years.
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- Peter: Adrian, please tell us more about your father
being an auctioneer.
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- Adrian: About 1979, my father started in the auction
business, alongside Norm Marple, I guess to learn the ropes,
shortly after opening his own auction hall south of Baseline
Road in Bowmanville. My brother and I spent countless hours hauling
out the contents of estates after school and on weekends, helping
with set up, putting away the chairs and sweeping up after the
sales. In the same breath, helping out our parents at the antique
shows throughout Ontario. This is why I state on my home page
that I hated the word "antique" until my wife and I
came to our senses after purchasing chairs from IKEA and shortly
after realizing they were crap.
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- Stefan: I actually got interested in the antique business
when I was 12 and then I got my dad interested in it. My parents
had a neighbor down the road who was an antique dealer. I learned
a great deal from him and I got started repairing and refinishing
furniture. In fact, Adrian here was one of my first customers.
I started doing this full time when I was 19. It was tough at
first, probably because I was so young and looked even younger
than my age. Many dealers at shows would ignore me because of
my age, even though I was interested in doing serious buying.
Eventually, they got to know me and now I do work and refinishing
for many of them.
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- Peter: As antique dealers, you both tend to specialize
in early Canadiana. Both of your booths at shows offer a unique
selection of antique pine furniture. One of the main concerns
of many antique dealers is the apparent lack of interest in quality
antiques by younger people. Do you have any ideas that would
help create a greater interest in this area?
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- Adrian: I would like to see a lot more promotions
geared towards younger people. I think the fact that more dealers
are going online will help. I have set up a Facebook site that
is generating some interest. It's designed for people interested
in Canadian antiques. It's an open line communication for the
antiques community to talk about shows, local shops, markets
and great finds. I feel as dealers we have to raise the bar as
far as we can. There is still a lot of European furniture of
poor quality coming into Canada and it's hurting the business.
You can go into a shop like Patriot Antiques in Orono and see
the difference that quality makes. It's a great shop with pieces
from the mid 1800s or earlier.
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- Stefan: I have quite a few regular customers in their
twenties. If you are honest with them, and try to explain what
you are selling to them, they will usually buy. Once you gain
their trust, they will come back and deal with you again. Many
younger people go for collectables, rather than true antiques.
And that's fine if it's at a nostalgia show, where they sell
things from the fifties and sixties, but antique shows should
be limited to pieces 100 years old or older. The Gadsden's Christie
Antique Shows really try to control and monitor what the dealers
sell. They do a good job at maintaining the quality of that show,
considering its size. Their shows attract a lot of younger people
that buy.
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- Peter: Do you have any other advice about buying or
selling antiques that you would like to share?
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- Stefan: I find it's much easier to sell something
if it has two or three uses. Things like an old dresser that
can also be used to set a TV on, or something like a blanket
box that can also be used as a coffee table or for storage. In
today's marketplace, dealers are getting many pieces cheaper
now and if we keep the same profit margins, we can sell things
cheaper. If you're a customer, don't be afraid to ask questions
and never be afraid to make a reasonable offer if you like a
piece. Almost every dealer I know is willing to help and answer
questions. They are there to make an honest living and they don't
mind sharing their knowledge with interested people. I always
tell the buyer if I've done a repair or altered a piece. You
lose in the end if you are not completely honest with people.
- Following paragraph revised.
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- Adrian: I buy what I like, usually things that have
an artistic flair. That way, if it doesn't sell I'll keep it.
Tastes change and people usually tend to upgrade, but it always
has to fit in with what they have. By being helpful and honest
with people, they will become regular customers. I like to buy
local pieces and get their history whenever possible. I think
consumers are finally getting tired of lower quality furniture
from retailers like Leon's or Wal-Mart and are starting to realize
that well made pieces will last longer and retain their value.
I think the younger folk might feel a little intimidated and
nervous about antiquing, remember though, there are no stupid
questions just stupid answers.
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- Peter: Sandy and I recently attended the premiere
of the Old Montreal Antiques Show in Quebec and it was an outstanding
event, one that we've added to our list of favourite shows. Do
you two have favourite shows that you sell at?
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- Adrian: My favourite is the Cabin Fever Show held
in Kingston every February. As a dealer, I feel it's the best
bang for the buck. Your booth costs include great accommodations;
super food, free drinks and good show promotion. It's a fun show
to do.
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- Stefan: I do have a favourite show, but it's for a
different reason. It's the Kempenfest Show and it's my favorite
because it usually falls on my birthday and my dad always offers
to do it for me. I get to stay home and make money for a change.
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- Peter: Thanks to both of you for taking the time to
meet with me, and good luck in your future shows.
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- Stefan and Adrian sell at many of the Ontario antique
shows and are available if you have any questions. Stefan also
does quality repairs and refinishing along with his dad, Bob,
at his shop in Cavan Ontario.
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- Adrian Tinline Antiques: Phone: 905-697-3694; Cell: 905-718-9074
Email: tinlineantiques@rogers.com
or visit tinlineantiques.com
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- Stefan McKey Antiques: Phone: 705- 944-5714; Cell: 289-385-6755
1909 County Rd. 10, RR2 Cavan, Ontario
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