Are Millennials Into Antiques? (Hint: not so much)
by Martin Willis
This blog is a generalization, there is a segment of young people that are really into antiques and I applaud them all. However, as an appraiser I am constantly hearing people say to me something along the lines of: “My kids don’t want any of my antiques”.
Unfounded Rumors
Around 25 years ago I was at a Christmas party with dozens of antique dealers, shop owners and auctioneers. Caroline French, from a family of antique show promoter, and a current antiques shop owner got everyone’s attention. What she said at the time was unfathomable. I can only paraphrase after this many years, but the gist was the following. “You watch as time goes on, kids will not have any interest in antiques, I see signs of this all the time”
I literally walked away from the conversation shaking my head and thought there was nothing to it. After all, growing up in southern Maine, and living in the historic coastal New Hampshire area, I saw no signs of this. There were many wonderful pieces still in generational homes waiting to be found. There were many people I grew up with had an ongoing interest in antiques and art. Shops were everywhere, young people were buying and showing up at auction. It seemed more like a standard and that it was the way it would remain.
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