Antiques at the Other Armory

by Clayton Pennington

Spending $10 for admission to Antiques at the Other Armory, the 87-dealer show run by Stella Show Management Company at the 26th Street Armory in New York City, may be New York City's best bargain.

For 1000 cents, antiques shoppers get to browse and shop a variety of interesting booths, and because vendors' goods are so varied, each booth differs almost completely from the others. It's a mini-education in antiques from decorator to folk to formal. The show has it all. If you add important antiquing amenities such as a café, an on-site shipper, a free coat check, and an hourly shuttle bus to the Winter Antiques Show, there's no arguing that shoppers receive a big antiques bang for their buck.

The show clearly benefits from a lack of competition during the first weekend of Americana week. In an antiques Subway Series, there is only one opponent, the tony Winter Antiques Show. Ever since Judy McHugh halted her shows at the Pier and Canadian promoter Sam Halpern pulled the plug on his show at the Puck Building two years ago, the Other Armory has been the only other game in town. (The word is, however, that next year a new show may debut.)

Held this year on January 19-21, the Other Armory show was a must-see for dealers and collectors. Aisles were more crowded during the opening two hours than we've seen in the last four years at the show. Since there were no early buying hours, the lines to get in at 11 a.m. formed early. According to Leanne Stella, president of Stella Show Management Company, they expected 7000 to 8000 people would be admitted to the show during the three-day run.

Stella said one of the hardest parts of her job is deciding which new dealers to add for the two or three spaces that open up in the show each year. "No one ever wants to leave," said Stella, who added that the waiting list for the show is very long. This year there were at least two welcome additions, especially for Americana enthusiasts. George and Debbie Spiecker of New Hampshire and Thomas Schwenke of Connecticut set up booths.

"It was the best show I've had in a year," said Spiecker. "It was wonderful. Every piece of case furniture in the booth sold except one." Spiecker sold a linen press, three card tables, a cherry desk, a six-drawer tall chest, three weathervanes, and four pieces of mocha. Better news for Spiecker was that many of the sales were to new clients. "We sold so much, we moved out in thirty minutes," he said.

Art Ziello of Thomas Schwenke Inc., Woodbury, Connecticut, said, "We had a good show. We sold well, and we're happy with the results. The response was good, and the traffic was good."

Spiecker and Ziello weren't the only fans. "I love the show," said exhibiting New York City dealer Susan Parrish. "There's so much energy. It has a wonderful mix." Parrish added that she thought the show was "very well organized."

Dealers we talked to, both on and off the record, had nothing but praise for the Stella firm. Many went as far as to say they were the best show promoters in the business. "You can't fault them for anything," said Plymouth, Massachusetts, dealer Bruce Emond of Village Braider.

Constance and Richard Aranosian of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, dealers in majolica, Moorcroft, Clarice Cliff, and Dutch Gouda, were very upbeat. "Things get done," said Richard. "They do what they say they are going to do." The Aranosians felt the promoters advertise well and excel at "getting the word out."

The Stella firm may owe much of its success to its roots; it's very much a family business. In addition to Leanne and Irene, Dottie Stella, Jeanne Stella, and Mike Stella all work for the company. The firm produces 22 shows a year, all exclusively antiques events.

As for this year's Other Armory vendors, Leanne Stella said they brought better stuff than ever. "It gets better in quality every year," she said.

For more information, call (212) 255-0020 or check the Internet (www.stellashows.com).