Photos and Story by Lisa Carolin
Ed Greenleaf has been running the Chelsea Antique Mall since 2010, and he says that it just keeps getting busier.
This summer, visitors will find the Antique Mall at capacity, with 40 dealers operating inside the 1178 South Main St. building at any given time. Unlike previous summers, there will be no outside sales. That’s because Greenleaf says that they had too many experiences with bad weather last summer.
“It’s a lot of labor and setting up, and we’re doing well enough inside,” said Greenleaf.
He says that some of the merchandise is seasonal.
“This summer we’re seeing a variety of antiques including a lot of old books, furniture, phonographs and musical instruments,” said Greenleaf.
He says that business has increased every month this year from last year. Most of the operators change merchandise every other week. Their job is to set up their booths and keep them clean.
“We sell their wares for them and write checks to them twice a month,” said Greenleaf. “We have a waiting list for operators but we always keep our doors open for new people.”
As far as what is considered an antique, Greenleaf says items should be at least 25 years old and that most of what they sell is from the 1940s through the 1960s.
The Chelsea Antique Mall’s hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., on Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and the antique mall is closed Monday.
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