For 43 years, Zurko Promotions has been bringing quality antique shows to the Chicago area. Year round, Zurko Promotions offers a variety of antique shows that make for some different things to do in Chicago. Some of the shows include several flea markets, a vintage car show and the Vintage Clothing and Accessories Show. Why We Go: Checking out antiques can be a fun and interesting way to spend an afternoon. Check the Zurko Promotions calendar for all the upcoming events you might want to attend, but there are a few upcoming antique shows by Zurko Promotions that are notable events in Chicago: • Antique Flea Markets: Just about every month, Zurko Promotions hosts at least one antique market! Be sure to check the schedule to find all the antique markets that are coming up! • Vintage Clothing and Accessories Show: Shop 'til you drop at this event by Zurko Promotions. Add some amazing pieces to your wardrobe that have stood the test of time. They were stylish back in the day, and now they're just as cool "vintage". You'll find plenty of unique clothing as well as accessories to pull your new outfits together. This show is April 13 and 14, 2013. • Antique Phonographs Accent 2013: If the successful 2nd annual 2012 Antique Phonographs Accent is any indication, the 3rd annual 2013 event is a must-attend occasion. Antique phonographs represent just the beginning of the fun. In addition, vinyl records and antique radios will be available. New for 2013, vintage guitars are going to make their debut at this August event during the Premiere Grayslake Antique Market. Email Newsletter: We know discounts at our events are always appreciated by our customers! Be sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter to find discounts and deals at every upcoming event! Do's and Don'ts:
• Do Replenish Your Wardrobe: Pick up pretty unique pieces during the Vintage Clothing and Accessories Show, on April 13 and 14, 2013. If you're ready to shake up your current wardrobe, you can find clothing and accessories that were very stylish once and are now cool because they're "vintage".
• Don't Miss A Thing: Be sure to check out the calendar of upcoming antique markets, Civil War Collector Shows, Vintage/collectible Toy Shows, flea markets, antique tours to Poland, car shows and more! We have different events every month, so dedicate a weekend to one of the special events that interests you!
Shoppers find treasures at antique show at Lake County Fairgrounds
By Long Hwa-Shu Special to The News-Sun
Despite the sagging economy, antique collectors and holiday shoppers with an eye for the vintage and whimsical were out in force at the Grayslake Antique & Collectible Markets on the weekend.
The soggy weather Saturday, with downpours at times, hardly dented the buyers’ spirit. Bob Zurko, promoter of the two-day show, estimated a record attendance of 3,000 people before it was over at 3 p.m. Sunday. The show with 220 exhibitors from all over the Midwest was held in the exhibition hall at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake.
“In this or any economy, people want to put their money into things that will go up in value,” said Zurko of Shawano, Wis., who has been promoting the monthly show for over 35 years.
“Collectors will go out of their way to find unusual, special items that have intrinsic value,” he added.
Items on display at the show included porcelains, estate jewelries, old toys, vintage clothing, country furniture, lamps, paintings, primitives and odds and ends. Vendors took up 1,200 tables.
“You can buy Roman coins. Victoria-era antiques, and also modern-day collectibles here,” Zurko said.
Unique items included a Sept. 3, 1943, issue of Newsweek with Adolf Hitler on the cover from Kamin’s of Elgin, asking price $25; a toy cement truck from the 1920s from Don Swetzig of Holy Hill, Wis., priced at $1,995; an 1863 water color with a religious theme from Laura Barry of Chicago, just $65. Clint Pagel, a jeweler from North Liberty, Ind., carried collections from Czechoslovakia, and also from India and Mexico.
“I have items for all budgets from $15 to $1,500,” he said.
Unlike at regular stores, you can bargain down the price, which makes it all the more appealing for buying at a fair such as this.
Nick Bizzoni from Rockford listed a statue of Nipper of his Master’s Voice fame for $165. It attracted a few prospective buyers, including one woman who said she wanted to talk to her husband first. Well, she was a bit too late.
Nipper, which Bizzoni estimated to be 50-60 years old, quickly found a new home when another buyer appeared. The man bargained it down to $140, which Bizzoni quickly accepted.
“You’ll love it. It’s a collector’s item,” he said as he gingerly placed it in a bag for the buyer.
Janet Ecklebarger of Addison bought a General Electric toaster, made in the 1950s, for her daughter’s birthday.
“I just like the look of it,” said Ecklebarger, as she was writing a check for Rick Rhodes of Midwest Toaster Authority, which also sells vintage waffle makers. One toaster on display, dating back to 1929, had a mechanical timer on it. The asking price: $100.
Bob Marques of Racine, Wis., bought a swan TV lamp from the 1950s, which he happily called “a good deal.”
“I just love the show. I’ve been here a dozen times. I keep on coming back because it has higher-end things,” said Marques.
A buyer from Lincolnshire who gave her name as P.J. Ellis bought Irish linen and other things from Kathy Costano of Grayslake, who also sells chandeliers and silverware.
“This is a good place for Christmas shopping. I’ll come back,” she said, showing her bag filled with two stuffed animals, a bunny and an owl.
Participants, dealers and the public like the location, as compared with the old fairgrounds, because, as Zurko said, ii is “convenient, with air-conditioning in summer, easy access to restrooms and plenty of parking.”
Dave and Wendy Schlapper of Libertyville look at an old Christmas book from 1892 at the antique show at the Lake County Fair Grounds in Grayslake.
Jen Belau of Grayslake (left) and Megan Harrigan of Grayslake look at some of the clothing for sale by Katrina Bray's store, Paris.
Karen Jenn and her son Matthew, 8, of
Wauconda look at ceramics.
The market for industrial antiques is hot right now and it's easy to see why. The furnishings, often rendered in metal and salvaged from old factories and manufacturing plants, possess a strong, rugged presence and scale that works with the open floor plans and high ceilings of today's urban lofts.
In addition to antique industrial tables, cabinets, and seating, you might also find smaller pieces such as pulleys, carved industrial molds, and clock faces that can be displayed as sculpture or hung on a wall.
What type of distinctive industrial item do you look for?
Rick Rhodes of Round Lake (right) and his wife Bonnie (left) show Linda Jacobs of Grayslake some of their antique ceramics at the antique show at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake.
Greg Arendt of Chicago looks at items for sale by Shirley Stary of Berwyn.
Donna Saka of Fox River Grove with some of the clothing for sale at the antique show.
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Donna Saka of Fox River Grove with some of the clothing for sale at the antique show.
