Closing out auction for Red Barn in Cloverdale

This weekend is your last chance to take home your very own piece of history from Cloverdale’s famous Red Barn Antiques.

The landmark store, closing the doors after 42 years in operation – 38 of them in Cloverdale – is holding a two day closing out auction Saturday and Sunday.

The once-vast inventory is but a shadow of its former glory. It was once Canada’s largest antique store, flourishing along with the smaller stores here, giving rise to Cloverdale’s widely recognized reputation as an antique capital.

Still, there are some undeniably nifty collectibles and antiques heading to auction May 7 and 8.

There are coin-operated amusement rides up for grabs, a few colourful, old fashioned gas pumps, wooden sleighs, and curios and memorabilia, from coffee grinders used in general stores to sought-after collectibles like vintage 7Up, Pepsi and Coca Cola merchandise, from signs and soda fountains to pop bottles and serving trays.

Auction starts at noon both days.

The new owner plans to open a modern furniture store inside the bright red barns at 5569 176 Street.

The Cloverdale Antique Mall also recently closed down.

Cloverdale Chamber of Commerce executive director Bill Reid recently told the Reporter the loss of the two largest outlets here signals the end of the road for antique alley – the historic town centre’s top-billed tourist attraction.

“We’re almost there now,” he said, adding Cloverdale’s down to just two remaining dealers, Wayne Sutherland of Cloverdale Antiques and Fine Art, and Jack Wardrop, of Jack’s Place Antiques and Collectibles.