Tehama - The Magazine - Red Bluff Daily News
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/88895
Antiquing Downtown Past Times a Popular Pastime in Tehama County By Bryon Burruss Friendly, homey and sometimes quirky, the antique shops in Tehama County have, for decades, been a familiar destination for those looking for unique and affordable collectibles. It was this popularity that led to the birth of the annual Red Bluff Antique Street Faire in 1991. Sponsored by the Red Bluff Rotary, Sunrise and held the first Sunday of every October, the event fills por- tions of Washington, Pine and Main streets with at least 100 vendors and thou- sands of buyers from throughout the north state and Oregon. "Tehama County s a great location for antique shops and events," said Steve Eandi, of Chico, who has been dealing in antiques full time for 38 years, in Butte, Shasta and Tehama coun- ties. "It's a nice little com- munity, and coming here is so easy because it's right on Interstate 5, which makes it easy for buyers to pop by on a whim without going out of their way." And, he said, events like the annual outdoor faire introduces days-gone-by to younger audiences, accord- ing to retailer "Older folks are more lookers," he said, "but younger people are active buyers." "Anything that gets peo- ple roaming around down- town, having a good time and supporting local mer- chants is a very good thing," said Paulette Bishop of End of the Trail on Main Street in Red Bluff, who admits that times have been lean for antique dealers the past few years. "The antique business has declined a bit with the economy, just like every- thing else," said Bishop, 8 Tehama - the Magazine, October, 2012 who has owned her shop for 15 years. "But these things go in phases." Tana Lewis, co-owner of T.J.'s antiques, also on Main Street for 15 years, agreed: "There aren't as many things See PAST, page 10