Peggy Arbenz announced at Tom Baker’s Country Show that her store, Down Home Country Antiques in Orange, had its best Spring Open House in the way of sales in the 10 years since they opened. She had an equally successful weekend at the California Country Show. “I love this show,” she said. “I think its a really wonderful high quality American Country show. There are shows like this Back East, but this is the only like it out here.” Arbenz not only made major sales at the show, she also did a little buying. She bought a vintage teddy bear from the founder of the Southern California country movement, Lori Murrell, former owner of American Roots. She also walked away with an 1850s iron rack that will be going in her house, and an old peeling paint cupboard. Down Home American Country Antiques is located at 200 E. Chapman Avenue in Orange. Call (714) 288-9208 for more information.
Category Archives: Country
murrell is now part of tom baker's country show circuit
A legend in the Southern California country movement, Lori Murrell-Ondaro, made one of her rare appearances at the California Country Show. Murrell, as she was known to her fans and customers back then, established American Roots in Old Town Orange, a vintage country-themed antique store in the Clinton Era. It was an 8-woman country selling task force. Although she closed her store 12 years ago, she spawned a California country movement. After she disappeared, other country stores quickly popped up, including Down Home American Country Antiques and Country Roads, both in Orange, and Country Village Antiques in Glendora. Wild Goose Chase opened up in American Roots’ old location. She has always done Tom Baker’s show up north twice a year (since that is where she lives now), and just recently started setting up at his Costa Mesa Show.
down home's newest dealer
Down Home’s newest dealer is Carolyn Whitney. She carries early American folk art in space #46. Down Home, known for their widely successful annual open houses, features 4,000 square feet and 30 dealers that specialize in Americana, advertising, lodge, Western, cottage, and garden antiques. Down Home American Country Antiques is located at 200 E. Chapman Avenue in Orange. Call (714) 288-9208 for more information.
Down Home's Top selling open house
After holding 38 open house celebrations over 9 years, Down Home’s November Holiday Open House was the most successful by far, announced owners Peggy Arbenz and Janet Thompson. Despite the doom and gloom in the news, loyal customers lined up out the door and made so many holiday purchases that it was their top-selling open house ever.
Country Western Music will Make you cry
Long Beach’s Owl Lady, Patricia Korn, could also be called the belt buckle lady. At the last show she had a basket of vintage belts and buckles, including a rodeo champion-sized “Country Western” buckle with real turquoise nuggets. ”Nothing is better than country western music if you really want to cry,” said Korn. One doesn’t have to cry at the price of the 1970s cowboy buckle, however. She would let it line dance its way into a new home for $50.
