Local Celebrity Profiles
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Jack Gorham | Collector's Antique Mall
[Perma Link]Jack Gorham | Collector's Antique Mall
Q: What is your history with Collector's Antique Mall?
I'm the manager here and I've been here for 23 years since it opened in 1993. Some of our dealers have been here for over 20 years, too. When we first opened we were only a small portion of the size we are now. We had about 14 dealers, and now we have approximately 85 with 35,000 square feet of space, so it's very large. It's been quite the journey growing not only here but watching downtown Asheboro's revitalization, too. When I started, the street only had a couple of businesses and now it's full of new places and full of life.Q: Does Collector's Antique Mall specialize in any one item, or what kinds of things can people expect to find?Because of our size, we really have something basically for everyone...but one can definitely expect fo find a large selection of furniture here from mid-century modern to period pieces. We also have pottery, glassware, dolls, records, coins, tons of old toys - probably more than most places - and a long list of other fun and peculiar items.Q: What's one of the more memorable or strange items you've seen sold here?One of the more funky things was probably a huge life-sized rhinoceros head made out of fiberglass, likely from a carnival. The fun thing is you never know what you'll find and that's why we have so many people coming back time and again over the years...we always have interesting things.Q: Do you collect anything yourself?I guess that goes without saying...I collect match boxes and Hot Wheels. I started collecting as a kid. In 1980, one of the first cars I got was a 1968 Camaro Hot Wheels car, and to this day it's still one of my favorites!Q: What are some of your favorite things about living in Randolph County?I feel so lucky to live and work where I do. Asheboro is such a great place now that it's actually becoming a destination for people from Florida to New York to regularly stop here. People obviously come to see the North Carolina Zoo, but they stay to shop downtown and to eat in our restaurants like The Table, Magnolia 23, Bia's Gourmet Hardware and The Fying Pig Food and Spirits - and more!Q: Where else do you like to go in Asheboro and why?We have a relatively new brewery called Four Saints, which is a great place for friends to gather, and they also have an open mic night. Even though I'm affectionately known as "the Junkman," I'm a musician and a singer-songwriter as well, so that's always a fun place for me to show off my new original songs and have a good time. The guys who started it are really great people, too! They've also helped bring new life to downtown. We really have a super sense of community here, and it's wonderful! Outside the Asheboro area, I highly recommend attending The Liberty Antiques Festival in nearby Liberty. It's a "must go to" event if you love antiques!
