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"Bloom's building back in business; antiques center moving in from across Main Street"

by Kinney O’Rourke for the LACONIA DAILY SUN

Less than a year after opening its doors the Laconia Antiques Center has outgrown its space next door to Bootleggers and has begun moving its operation across Main Street to what was Bloom's Variety store.

Tom Smith, who operates the business in partnership with Charlie St. Clair, said yesterday that they have taken a lease with an option to purchase the property from Gary Bloom and expect to be up and running at the new location on March 2nd.

"We outgrew the space, in about six months" St. Clair said, adding "we had to turn away dealers wanting booths and could not accept more consignments, especially furniture."

Smith recalled that when the two first planned the business St. Clair approached Bloom about leasing the space, but the two failed to reach agreement on the terms of a lease. 'It just wasn't the right time," Smith said.

With the move, the antique center will expand from 7,800-square-feet on one floor to 22,000-square-feet on two floors, providing space for approximately 200 dealers. Smith estimated that the center will rank as the largest group shop in the state and once again make the Lakes Region a primary destination for the pilgrimages of dealers and collectors.

In the past five years fire destroyed Country Tyme in Belmont while Burlwood in Meredith and Bertha Mae's Antiques Center in Gilford both closed.

Noting that many dealers were displaced by the closures, Smith said that the center offers very competitive rates and expects to a draw a variety of dealers, all offering quality goods. "The response has been very encouraging," he said, and added that "anyone interested in renting space can reach me at 524-9484."

Smith said that the space includes a sprinkling system, excellent lighting, high ceilings and ample room for wide aisles. Apart from an array of dealers, the ground floor will also offer a soda fountain, complemented by a jukebox and Pepsi machine, and a comfortable reading area for those browsing the bookshelves. A model railroading enthusiast, Smith has designed a depot to house his Lionel Train outlet opposite the soda fountain on the ground floor.

The mezzanine will feature what Smith called "a gigantic model train layout" together with a selection of antique dealers. Both staircases, one on each side of the building, will be opened and handicapped access to the mezzanine will be provided.

"We will have a lot more of what we have," Smith said, "the largest selection of antique furniture around, jewelry, coins, ephemera, books and so on. All antiques and collectibles," he stressed, explaining that the quality of the merchandise will be closely monitored. "There will be no flea market material," he said.

To the consternation of many, the Bloom's building has been vacant since the variety store held its final sale in the summer of 2008. Some have envisioned it playing a role in the revitalization of the Colonial Theater, located next door, as a performing arts center. The city holds an option to purchase the theater complex for $1.4-million that will expire next fall.

This article was in the Laconia Daily Sun on 1/5/2011 and has been reprinted by permission.

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