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News Article
Discounts for treasure hunters at antique complex closeout
By Jim Rutledge

FLEETWOOD, Pa. — Eastern Pennsylvania’s largest family-owned antique complex is closing its doors at the end of September offering sweeping discounts to treasure hunters and to make room months later for a new 80-dealer antique mall.

Jerry and Elaine Arak are shutting down their 42-year-old business, the Fleetwood Antique Complex, and heading south to Florida in October, just days after they finalize selling their 30,000 sq. ft. building to their son Eric.

“We’ve had a good business buying and selling antiques for 42 years,” the elder Arak tells AntiqueWeek. “I have mixed emotions, but it’s time to go,” he says, in describing the business that has consumed his life since the 1970s.

Offering record breaking discounts on thousands of antiques and collectibles until closing day on Sept. 28, Arak is offering 70 percent in August and 80 percent deals until the lights go off.

Among some of the prized antiques up for grabs is a 1928 Chevy panel truck for $32,00, and a 1924 Ford with most of its original parts and ready to drive away for $24,000.

In the past few weeks, Arak has attracted a wide ranging group of buyers looking for deals, including two international antique shop owners who just happened to come across the Fleetwood complex, and have swooped in to bring American antiques back home.

Arak described how one shopper from Israel was driving past his Kutztown Road complex and decided to stop in and take a look. Arak says the buyer immediately began picking out selections and setting them aside. Within a couple of days, the antique dealer had bought such a stockpile of pieces. He immediately snagged a shipping container, filling it to the brim to send home.

The sale followed another buyer from Australia who had been shopping to fill his own shipping container for a weeklong, 10,000-mile journey to “Down Under.”

Among the many thousands of antique and vintage items, Arak pointed out a few unusual items, including an Amish country horse-drawn buggy, priced at a bargain $300 that normally would sell for a $1,000. “I have an 1890s double-seated sleigh, with seats in the front and a row behind. You don’t see many of those. It’s in really good original condition,” he said. It’s priced at $1,200.

“I have a fine selection of oil paintings from the 17th century,” he adds. “A fine doctor’s office cabinet, 10 feet wide and 8 feet high; 20,000 postcards; a good rowboat; and so many more collectibles.”

The antiques and collectibles are housed in a three-story barn complex with a 1920s gasoline station, located on Highway 222 about 60 miles northeast of Philadelphia.

Arak also points out a large assortment of life-size, authentic-looking farm animal statutes for sale, all in very good condition, with a horse in a standing pose selling for $1,695, horse trotting for $1,595, a black, or brown and white bull, $1,500; pigs, sheep, donkeys or a calf, $495; cows in various poses for $995, and white goats for $195.

Many other selections include a large variety of early American woven baskets, vintage and collectible toys, sports memorabilia and trading cards; railroad and hardware items; a 1920 Coca Cola vending machine; farm furniture, Empire and Victoria furniture; automotive; selections of early children’s books; vintage and American Indian jewelry; sheet music, thousands of magazines; pottery, glassware, lamps and lighting; advertising items, bottles; stained glass, quilts, vintage post and office furniture.

As they move South, Arak said his wife Elaine was taking a few vintage baskets she has collected and some pieces of Indian jewelry. “Not me,” he said, “We’ve added a few antiques to our home down South, but that’s all. Nothing special,” he said.

The Fleetwood Antique Complex is located at 14131 Kutztown Road. For more information, the telephone number is (610) 207-2322.

8/8/2014
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