By Susan Shinn
For the Salisbury Post

There are always lots of “oohs” and “aahs” at Rowan Museum’s annual Antiques Show, but what really got patrons’ attention Thursday evening was All … That … Space!

The 63^rd annual event has new digs: West End Plaza’s Event Center (formerly J.C. Penney at Salisbury Mall). And it’s impressive.

Patrons and dealers alike were thrilled.

“It’s lovely,” said Alice Stanback, who came in with Betty Mickle. “It’s light and bright and sparkling.”

“This is fabulous,” Mickle added, “honestly and truly. Everything just shows up so beautifully.”

A few steps away, Anthony Fisher was putting the finishing touches on his display.

“I love early Southern furniture, and early Southern pottery, and anything from the South,” said Fisher, who stood in front of the Anthony’s Antiques booth with his wife, Carrie, and his cousin, Josh Saylor.

Of special note, however, was a 10-carat amethyst ring with matching earrings, a set once owned by Lana Turner. How did he come upon such a find?

“Here in Salisbury a little lady loved me, and called me,” Fisher said, smiling.

He added, “I love treasure hunting, and I do not usually leave town. I always wanted to be an archeologist as a kid, and now I am.”

Fisher was delighted with his new and enlarged space, which also includes oil paintings, a new foray.

“It is so gorgeous,” he said. “I love looking out the window and seeing the fountain.”

Nearby, first-time participant Dana Kelly had laid out dozens of stunning Oriental rugs. He’s a dealer from Lexington, Ky., and thanks to the new location, could now be a part of the show.

Kelly brought Turkish, Chinese and Persian rugs of various sizes and shapes, antique and semi-antique. Kelly also repurposes damaged pieces into darling rugs to hold food and water bowls for your favorite dog (bone-shaped) or cat (fish-shaped).

“Your pet spoils you so you need to spoil your pet,” he quipped.

Another new dealer was Jane Lavinder of Lavinder’s Antiques in Asheboro. She returned from England last month, and had a nice variety of English boxes and writing desks, along with porcelain platters and oyster plates. She’d even brought along a couple of Chinese umbrellas.

Longtime show participant Sylvia Rowell of Windsor House Antiques had a prime spot next to the entrance.

“I think it’s great,” she said of the new location. “It’s so bright and open. I was afraid it was going to be too big, but I like it very much.”

Rowell was sharing space with Vernon Creekmore, a new exhibitor, from Broad Rock House Antiques in Richmond, Va.

Rowell guessed she’d been part of the show for at least 12 years.

“But time flies, doesn’t it?” she said.

The show continues today from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, with lunch available both days. Tickets are available at the door.

Freelance writer Susan Shinn lives in Salisbury.