Stormy Weather

My partner Joe has got to be the hardest working guy in show business -- antique show business, that is. In the almost 10 years we've worked together, I could count his days off on one hand. But he had received an invitation that was just too good to pass up -- attending Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival with our friend Lynda's husband, Preston. To make it happen, Lynda and her son, Tyler, were driving to Indiana at 2:30 a.m. Saturday -- Lynda was coming to work Allegan with me, and Tyler was taking Joe back to Chicago for the concert.

The logistics of all this weren't worrying me. What was on my mind was the weekend weather. Storms were projected for both days, and we'd already had a couple of doozies. Lightning, hail, and strong winds are not what you want to see coming when your livelihood set up in a tent city.
But all the worrying in the world was not changing the Weather Channel.

Saturday, however, had turned out to be beautiful -- sunny and breezy. Lynda and I got the tent up with no problems and had the best Early Buy that we've had at Allegan in several years. Plus we had more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

But Sunday morning looked like it might be a different story. It started to rain as soon as we pulled into the fairgrounds. However, that didn't deter the crowds. Neither did the storms that came and went all morning. We were having a great show, despite the weather. People were just in the mood to shop. Our neighbors were actually still negotiating a deal when the tornado siren sent everyone into the concrete block restroom buildings. It was just one of those days -- people were in a buying mood. And thank goodness for that! Last weekend had been a little soft, so we really needed this one to count. I feel like that sounds a little selfish -- obviously, we don't want anyone getting hurt. But the van payment still needs to go in the mail this week. Come on!

Projects were great sellers, as were garden items and furniture. Industrial and art were a little soft, but that didn't seem to hurt the bottom line too much.

Sold almost everything we bought at Burlington, except this cute concrete frog. He will just have to wait for Kane. And so far, the forecast for next weekend is beautiful. Thank goodness for that too.

And while I'm on the subject, THANK YOU to everyone who came and shopped, despite the rain. Thank you to my wonderful neighbors, like Celeste, who worries about me burning and always brings:

As well as Jack and Vanna, who keep us supplied with:

And of course to the Boyds -- what a weekend to remember for all of us! See you for the 4th! xo