What's Old is New Again: Popular TV and Culture Renews Consumer Interest in Vintage and Antiques

Once Prominent Atlantic City Show Rides the Wave of Retro-Popularity

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Atlantic City Antiques & Collectors Show

Feb 17, 2011, 06:29 ET

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Atlantic City Antiques & Collectors Show, once the preeminent show of its kind, is set to ride the wave of retro-popularity currently sweeping the nation and capturing the interests of a new generation. Antique and vintage "discovery" TV shows, like the History Channel's American Pickers, HGTV's Cash and Cari, and PBS's upcoming Thrift America with British "It Girl" Alexa Chung, are creating renewed interest in antique and vintage decor, clothing and art. Adding fuel to the "retro fire" is the success of period shows like HBO's Boardwalk Empire, whose popularity has inspired Atlantic City, the show's setting, to embrace the Roaring 20's era with themed events and even casino renovations.

"Our attending guests are becoming younger with the growing popularity of antique-related shows and vintage fashion trends," says Allison Kohler, owner of JMK Shows and Events, a show promotion and management company that handles more than a dozen antique and collector shows along the East coast. "Our nation's tastes --- in furniture, clothing and home decor --- are becoming more vintage in nature, which is incredibly exciting to see. We're now finding all consumers --- regardless of age --- are looking for unique, one-of-a-kind items, which can be found with ease at antique shows across the country."

Kohler is currently preparing for the upcoming Atlantic City Antiques & Collectors Show, held Saturday, March 19, and Sunday, March 20, at the Atlantic City Convention Center. This year the Show has partnered with AntiqueClothier.com to present a special fashion exhibit: Revisit the Empire through Fashion. The exhibit will feature clothing and accessories from the 1920's, styles often seen in Boardwalk Empire. Nationally-noted appraisers will also be present, lending their insight and valuation expertise to attendees.

Kohler's shows are unlike other antique events in that vendors are sourced from across the nation. Vendor antique categories at the Atlantic City show range from furniture, pottery, art and cut glass, to jewelry, rugs, silver, porcelain, and more. Many of the vendors are authors, speakers, and appraisers as well. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Lawrence J. Zinzi, a world-renowned Tiffany expert, Marvin Baer, of Ivory Tower, who is one of the top experts in Oriental porcelain, and Amy Bergman, owner of Amy Bergman Antiques, who specializes in decorative perfume bottles.

"We're very happy to have this show call Atlantic City home," said Jeff Vasser, President of the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority. "Atlantic City has a long, colorful history, and is now an exciting, modern destination with all the amenities visitors want. We provide a perfect backdrop for a show of this nature, and we welcome them to our 'Empire.'"

Show tickets for the Atlantic City Antiques & Collectors Show are available online at www.jmkshows.com or by calling 973.927.2794.

SOURCE Atlantic City Antiques & Collectors Show