He was the auctioneer when B.C.’s largest antique mall opened 12 years ago this month and it’s only fitting that he’ll be there at the end.
Ken Passmore, the original auctioneer of the Cloverdale Antique Mall and Auction, is returning for this weekend’s close-out auction.
One of the walls still bears messages from well-wishers written to Passmore in black felt tip marker when the mall changed hands.
“He was an absolute genius when it came to antiques, he knew every source of North American antiques,” recalled Bill Reid, executive director of the Cloverdale Chamber of Commerce, who started the mall in 1999 with his wife Marion.
“He’d go to the main auction places in New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia,” Reid said, adding in those days antiques from the U.K. ended up on the eastern seaboard. “If you wanted any of that vintage, you had to go there to buy it.”
The second floor of the 16,000 square-foot landmark was added to accommodate the mall, and features old lumber beams. “That’s why it looks kind of 
rustic,” he said. “We scouted the whole Lower Mainland.”
It’s now owned by Tim Garrett and a partner. The mall was home to forty-five dealers, including 10 staff members who are losing their jobs, and items from 300 consignment sellers.
The preview is all day Friday to 9 p.m., with the auction running Saturday and Sunday starting at noon both days.