Antique show moves downtown

Tom Perry, Writer

A familiar central Iowa antique show is moving this year to a new location - downtown Des Moines.

The Antique Spectacular, in its fourth year as a weekend event in the Des Moines metro, will be held Friday through Sunday at the Polk County Convention Complex, 501 Grand Ave.

About 50 dealers from across the Midwest are scheduled to bring thousands of antiques and collectibles to the event this year, said Kimberly Schilling, a spokeswoman for the show.

Previously, the show was held at 7 Flags Fitness & Racquet Club in Clive.

"We just outgrew the space there," Schilling said. "With 48 dealers last year, we were maxed out."

Items this year will include furniture, art pottery, country, primitives, fine and costume jewelry, silver pattern matching, glassware, china, prints, postcards, rugs, quilts, toys, advertising, coins, vintage clothing, textiles and period pieces.

Among the period pieces likely to be on display will be fireplace mantles from Kelly Reed Antiques of Ottumwa and cast-iron banks and toys from Mad Cat Antiques from Waterloo.

Hungry Horse Books of Pomeroy, will bring vintage books. Boarding House Antiques in Decorah and Summer Kitchen Antiques of Durant will display children's items, Schilling said.

Jo Brantley of Carlisle, a longtime antiques dealer, participated in the spectacular when it was held in Clive.

Brantley's, host of popular outdoor "Brantiques" sales at her country home, will be bringing vintage painted furniture, glassware, garden collectibles and quilts to the convention complex.

"I am hoping that being downtown will be better for us," she said.

"More space is always good but until you actually show at a new location you never know if it will be better."

The Antique Spectacular is presented by Melting Pot Productions, which stages similar events in Council Bluffs and Rock Island, Ill.

Reporter Tom Perry can be reached at (515) 284-8224 or tperry@dmreg.com.