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2005 Best Of Winners

Discover Mid-America — October 2005

One of the best guides
by Bruce Rodgers, Editor/Publisher

Last month I wrote about what shop and mall owners/managers could do to help make sure high gas prices don’t deter shoppers from continuing to visit their businesses. Now, I’m going to point out a resource consumers can use as a sort of self-help strategy against wasting time and money in getting your antique and collectibles fix.

Fullers’ Best Antiquing U.S.A. 4th edition recently became available. This “Travel Guild” to major antique markets, shows, malls, auctions and historic antique districts and villages is one the best available and easy to use. New to this edition are “25 Great Antiquing Getaways” — listings of lodging options, restaurants, and leisure activities in addition to antiquing locations.

“Getaways make for a four-day weekend,” says author Deanne Fuller. “You get antique districts, lodging, restaurants, historic interests and how to get there.”

In Missouri, Fuller has “Great Getaway To Antique the Scenic Ozarks.”

Overall, shops, malls, districts and some words on great places to eat in the lower 48 states are listed, including Washington DC.

Fuller says it takes six months of research to update the book (done every two years) and that readers help. “A lot are dealers and casual consumers who ‘report in’ and help us evaluate our listings,” said Fuller.

Fuller’s father Wilbert started Best Antiquing in 1999. He retired and Deanne took over though he’s still listed as a co-author. The idea for the book came from Wilbert’s own experience.

“He use to do antique shows and traveled without a reference guide,” said Fuller of her father. Trouble was many times Wilbert got to where he was going and found out the place wasn’t really about antiques or was closed on Monday.

“His idea was that somebody needed to write a book about how to get there and the hours open so you don’t waste your time going to some place that has ordinary garage sale junk,” said Fuller.

Malls and shops don’t pay to be in Fullers Best Antiquing U.S.A. Craft malls are excluded.

“We’re trying to save people time and gas in finding some areas of the country to antique in with the best shops and malls,” Fuller said.

Fullers Best Antiquing U.S.A. is found in antique malls throughout the country. The book is essential to experiencing a quality antiquing excursion.

Contact Bruce Rodgers at
publisher@discoverypub.com

> Editor’s Notebook Archive — past columns