Gibraltar School Hosts Antique, Vintage Marketplace

The Door County Antique and Vintage Marketplace will be held inside the air-conditioned gym at Gibraltar High School on Highway 42 in Fish Creek Thursday through Saturday, July 26-28. Photo by Len Villano.

Those of us who live in or visit Door County cherish the peninsula’s old-fashioned charm, nostalgic atmosphere and artistic character. It’s a place of traditions. Started in 1974, the Door County Antique Show has been an annual summer tradition for more than 40 years.

Now under new management, and with a new name (Door County Antique and Vintage Marketplace), the 43rd annual event will not only include the beautiful and rare real antiques, which has made the antique show successful in the past, but will add enhancements including the additions of original artwork, sought-after collectibles and vintage décor from the late 19th century to the middle of the 20th century.

“Today’s shoppers are very different than the antiquers of the 1980s or 1990s,” said Larry Kaczmarek, the new promoter of the show. “Today’s shoppers are more discriminate. Some aren’t into collecting ‘stuff’ to sit on shelves or behind glass cases. Instead, they are interested in creating a unique, eclectic and personalized home décor to live in, electing to retro-fit antiques to provide a practical re-purpose in their homes, their cottages and as gifts.”

Kaczmarek, owner of Village Blacksmith Antiques in Appleton, is a longtime participant of the Door County antiques show. He has served as promoter for the West Bend and Madison antiques shows, and hopes the addition of vintage items to the show will draw a younger crowd.

As Kaczmarek explained, antique items are those at least 100 years old while vintage pieces are half that age. Dealers at this year’s show will include purveyors of art, antiques, sports and movie memorabilia and vintage collectibles from Victorian to mid-century modern. Furniture, jewelry, pottery, picture frames, ephemera, lighting, framed art, garden display pieces, textiles, Indian relics, advertising toys, sporting goods, lithographs and so much more will all be available for purchase.

“Whether you are a traditional antique collector or someone who just appreciates the way antiques help to create a unique and warm environment for living and entertaining, you’ll enjoy the opportunity to shop from 34 exceptional vendors,” Kaczmarek said.

Also featured this year is Mary Lou’s Crystal and China Repair. Bob and Mary Lou Gates will be on hand to repair broken crystal, china and pottery while you shop.

The event is sponsored by the Sister Bay Lions Club, who use proceeds to support the “Leader Dog for the Blind Program.” Members of the club will be at the show to talk about the benefits of the program and other Lions activities.

The Door County Antique and Vintage Marketplace will be held inside the air-conditioned gym at Gibraltar High School on Highway 42 in Fish Creek Thursday through Saturday, July 26-28 from 9 am to 5 pm daily. Admission is $6. Children under 12 are free. For more information about the show, call 920.993.9817 or 920.475.6508.