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York, Pennsylvania

The Fall Greater York Antiques Show

by Lita Solis-Cohen

The line was not as long as usual at 11 o'clock for the Friday noon opening of the Greater York Antiques Show and Sale, held November 1-3, 2002, at the York (Pennsylvania) Fairgrounds, but by the time the doors opened, it snaked out to the trees.

Even though some dealers complained that many of the regulars did not come, show manager Jim Burk said, "The gate was up eight hundred fifty on Friday and four hundred on Saturday; Sunday was about even with last year." Sunday was slow last year, and it was slow again this year, according to dealers, but some people did come back, and they bought.

Business overall was good for some and not so good for others. There was a certain amount of preshow selling as usual, and some neat things changed hands.

"It is always worth it to go to York," said Westborough, Massachusetts, dealer David Wheatcroft. "I sell well, and I buy well. Selling wasn't gangbusters, but I bought some wonderful things and sold some of them."

York is a regional show and a test of the middle market, which is still viable but not booming. While there has been plenty of competition for masterpieces at auction, the middle market has been hurt by recession. It is down but certainly not out; a number of dealers surprisingly did well.

There were, however, complaints about the new floor plan, which confused shoppers when it was instituted last May and confused them again in November. "I can't find my booth, and the program is not alphabetical. It just isn't a user-friendly show anymore," said one longtime exhibitor.

There is no center aisle, just side aisles and cross aisles that line up with the fire doors. "That is the way the fire marshal ordered it," said Burk.

When asked if he could put the center aisle back, Burk said, "Sure I could and get rid of twelve dealers." Many said that would be fine. It may hurt the bottom line, but it would be nice to restore the old York ambiance.

There will be changes in the show for the spring edition. The dates have been changed from Memorial Day weekend to early May. The show will be held on May 9 and 10, Friday from noon to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. "We have to be out of the hall on Saturday night because another event is moving in on Sunday," said Burk. Sunday is Mother's Day—not a good time for a show anyway—and the dealers think that two days of setup and two days of show is just great.

Also in May Burk will have another event with which to contend. Barry Cohen is launching his new York Country Classic Show in the Old Main Building at the York Fairgrounds with at least 50 dealers, opening either at 9 a.m. or 2 p.m., right in Burk's backyard.

Cohen said he is not sure of the opening time, but he's sure of the show. "I wanted to give Burk the chance to open first," he said, "but I will poll my dealers and open when they want to open."

It has taken Burk a long time to accept Cohen's tailgate show in November, but he realizes, after nine years, it's here to stay. He is philosophical about the new May show and doesn't believe that two shows bring more shoppers to York, that people who come from a distance want to see 200-plus dealers instead of 100-plus dealers.

Burk said he likes to open at noon so the Virginia shoppers can get there for the opening and not have to spend the night before in York.

Cohen believes that his dealers with money in their pockets from his tailgate show spent money at Burk's fairgrounds show this fall and that they will spend again in May. "These dealers wouldn't be in York for Burk's show if they weren't set up at mine," he said. "They came to the fairgrounds on Friday night, and they bought. They are not taking money away from Jim's show; it all balances out."

Many dealers agree with Cohen. "Another show doesn't bother me," said Greg Kramer, a longtime dealer at Burk's shows. "There was a time when I thought it would hurt us, but these days I think it is fine. It brings a wider range of merchandise, and it brings more people to York. Look what tailgating did for Manchester [New Hampshire]."

For more information, contact Jim Burk at (717) 397-7209.