Key West, Battered By Hurricanes, Remains A Popular Destination

KEY WEST, FLA.

:Dennis, Katrina, Rita and Wilma. In Key West, one might think these names are those of beauty salons, restaurants or female impersonators. But these were the hurricanes that wrenched the Florida Keys and Key West during 2005.

Six feet of water flooded Fort East Martello, the site of the second annual Key West Antiques Show. Not once but twice the site was under water. But like the rest of Key West, cleaning up is just part of the job.

More than 16,000 cars were totaled from water damage. Federal Emergency Management Agency trailers still dot the city's streets, providing temporary housing until repairs to homes can be completed. The Florida Department of Transportation promised to erect a flashing sign announcing the show at the entrance to the island, but could not fulfill this request because the sign also was totaled from the hurricanes.

But high season is here and the second edition of what is now established as the "southernmost antiques show in the United States" opened on time the last weekend in February despite the absence of most of the fort's flora.

Thirty-two dealers from 14 states settled into the various batteries of the fort, sharing space with canons, a raft that brought refugees from Cuba to the Keys some years ago, a 100-year-old horse-drawn hearse and other exhibits too large to move from the collection of the Key West Art and Historical Society, the sponsor of the show.

Like everything else in Key West this season, attendance at the show was down. There was, however, some strong, sporadic buying.

Longtime dealers Louis Dianni sold a significant Antonio Jacobson oil painting during preview. Kate Alex, returning for the second year, had strong sales; however, sales did not match up to last year's. Katona and Lutz, the promoters, set up for a second year in a much larger space and could not believe they had stronger sales than last year's show that practically sold out.

J. Austin Jeweler, having just returned from South Africa, had strong sales but also did not match those of last year, while Forager House did 25 percent more business.

Vintage Costume Jewelry was as pleased as it was last year. Irene Karas had a successful show. Robin Sittig got in a visit with her mother, the retired dealer Audree Chase, and had sufficient sales to return again.

Barometer Fair and Margaret Sutor, sharing a large space, were both first-time exhibitors. Both had a number of sales and want to return. Sannes Antiques of North Dakota was once again happy to be part of this show.

Reviewing the comments from the dealers, the committee has taken the suggestion of moving the show next year up a day, with a Friday preview and show open Saturday and Sunday.

The committee and dealers were invited to a supper at the winter home of George Korn and Richard Kemble of Forager House, the chairs of the show. A dealer survey indicated that this was a highlight of the show, and most would agree that Key West is a good place to be at the end of February.

The Key West Antiques Show, sponsored by the Key West Art & Historical Society, will return next year February 23-25. The show is managed by Ellen Katona and Bob Lutz of Greenwich, N.J. For information, 856-459-2229.