News Summary
The Athens Schoolhouse Antiques Show will host its last event on May 10 and 11, before the Athens Elementary School building undergoes renovations. This beloved community event has been a staple for antique lovers for 18 years. Admission is $2, and the show will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Local vendors, including some transitioning to an online shop, will adapt their businesses post-show. A new event, The Lexington Antique Show at Athens, will start in June, continuing the antiques tradition in the area.
Athens, KY — The Athens Schoolhouse Antiques Show is set to make its final appearance on May 10 and 11, shortly before the old Athens Elementary School building undergoes renovations. This marks the end of an 18-year tradition at the site located at 6270 Athens Walnut Hill Pike, where the antiques show has attracted collectors and enthusiasts alike. Admission for the last show is priced at $2, and attendees are invited to browse from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days.
The decision to close the show comes amid planned updates to the building, which has also housed a popular restaurant, the Athens Lunchroom. While there is a sense of nostalgia attached to this event, the operators have announced plans for transition, including the launch of an online antiques shop. This move will allow vendors to continue their businesses beyond the physical confines of the Athens Schoolhouse.
The Athens Schoolhouse Antiques Show has roots that extend back over 40 years, originally starting in a tobacco warehouse on Angliana Avenue in 1985. Over the years, it has evolved into a beloved community event, drawing crowds from both near and far. The final event is set to be a blend of sentimentality and excitement as it ushers in new opportunities for vendors and antique lovers alike.
Transition to New Show
In conjunction with the closure of the Athens Schoolhouse Antiques Show, several longtime vendors are shifting to new ventures. A new event named The Lexington Antique Show at Athens will take place at the same site but in an area of the building not affected by renovations. This new show is scheduled for June 14 and 15 and will occur on the second weekend of each month from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Many dealers who participated in the Athens Schoolhouse Antiques Show are adapting their business models. For example, Herman and Mag Ward are relocating to Rags and Riches in Harrodsburg, while Diane Mink has set up shop at the Thoroughbred Antique Gallery in Lexington. Meanwhile, retiree Lenabell Harkins will see her collection auctioned through Caswell Prewitt Auctions.
Vendor Adjustments and Support
In the wake of this transition, various dealers are also pursuing online avenues to continue serving their clientele. Some are leveraging popular social media platforms to sell their antiques, including businesses like Allison’s Garden and Gathered By The Handful. The operator’s commitment to support local vendors during this time of change has been emphasized in statements released on social media, highlighting the importance of small businesses to the community.
Conclusion
The impending closure of the Athens Schoolhouse Antiques Show is a significant moment for the local community as it prepares to say goodbye to a cherished event. However, the introduction of the Lexington Antique Show at Athens signals a new chapter that will maintain the enthusiasm for antiques in the Athens area. As transitions unfold, both vendors and collectors will adapt, keeping the spirit of the antiques tradition alive in new forms.
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Athens Schoolhouse Antiques Show Closing
- Wikipedia: Antique
- Kentucky Living: Athens Schoolhouse Antiques Show 2025
- Google Search: Antiques shows in Kentucky
- AVL Today: Asheville Swap Meets
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Antiques
- The Dispatch: Donations to Habitat for Auction
- Google News: Antique Collectibles Events
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