Early Buying Gets Tolland Antiques Show Off To A Running Start

TOLLAND, CONN.

:Talk about a formula: The Tolland Antiques Show has one and it does not appear that there are any changes set for the future. And why should there be, for this show clicks.

Right on schedule, or actually a bit ahead of time, the 65 dealers were allowed into the Tolland High School, using the cafeteria and the gymnasium, at 2 on Saturday afternoon, January 28. Stacy had the walls all in place, porters were at the ready and the move-in began.

Soup and sandwiches appeared for the exhibitors about 5, and by 8, when the school closed, most of the dealers were ready for business. It was not until 7:30 am the next day that the dealers could return to the show, and at 8:30 the door opened for early buying.

"How popular is early buying?" we asked. "Very" was the one word answer we got from Kathy Bach, who has been running the show for the past 13 years for the Tolland Historical Society. "And we do not give out exact numbers," she added.

The popularity of early buying was reinforced by comments from many of the exhibitors. "People come rushing in, ready to buy, it really works," Joseph Collins said. The cost of early buying, which goes on until 10 am, is $15. After that regular admission is $5 until 4 pm.

Country dominates this show, with a generous offering of treen, baskets, early iron, paintings, some folk art and a good measure of furniture, including painted examples. The range of merchandise is evident in the booth photos. Furniture was selling, including a step back cupboard, a corner cupboard and a large work table. "Everyone seemed happy, I had no complaints from the dealers," Bach said.

Forty years ago, when the Tolland Historical Society was formed in April, it was evident a fundraiser would be needed and the show was started that same fall.

It has been going ever since, building in popularity each year not only with visitors but with dealers hoping to join in. The waiting list is ample and the turnover small, for as Lewis Scranton said, "It is a good show, easy and inexpensive to do, so why would anyone want to give it up."