Antique Archaeology Le Claire — Attraction in Le Claire Township

Happy to have been able to visit the original!

I would say this original location for Antique Archaeology is mostly Mike’s tribute to fans of the show and a museum of special moments from the show in a store setting. It does have some great vintage for sale along with keepsakes, Mike’s book and a wide variety of T-shirts to pick from. Staff is exceptional, friendly and picture taking is not an issue (asked at both stores to be sure).

We visited while on our own picking adventure. The Lincoln Highway Buy-Way multi-state Yard Sale. We used to do the 127 Yard Sale and Lincoln sale when we lived in Ohio (Ohio has online support for it). Illinois offers little at the moment for the Lincoln H/B sale. A few towns participate and who knows maybe just this mention could light a spark.

I have much respect for Mike with his behind the scenes work w/kids and for doing what nobody had done before. A show for pickers, flea’ers, scrapers and SwapMeet diggers to ogle over the shows finds, learn from his interactions with sellers and bring interest to items from our past. The world would be hard pressed to find a more genuine and good natured steward.

I bought 12 brass clock knobs for .25c a piece that I’ll reuse in my own vintage resale. Visiting gave me a connection and happy memories that I’ll always remember. Being able to browse, photograph and purchase vintage from here...

ABSOLUTELY impressed with the staff! Not all Rock Stars play music and let me tell ya - Sarah & Bella are ROCK STARS!

We were on a 2 week road trip & decided to stop by here on the way home. When we arrived, we heard Mike was in town & there was a possible chance that he might show up - My kids were SUPER excited & wanted to stay and wait. We waited around town for about 3 & half hours, sadly Mike didn't show - HOWEVER, Bella & Sarah gave the boys an autographed pic of Mike that he JUST signed the day prior. They also took pics with my kids. It truly made their day.

Besides that, the quality of their store merchandise is top notch. T-shirts are incredibly soft & great designs. I loved that I found several items made in the USA. Also - my boys were excited to see the Laurel & Hardy heads from one of their favorite episodes as well as the bike that they dug up - they were SUPER excited to see that.

Overall, stopping here put the cherry on top for our 2 week family road trip vacation. We covered 13 States in 13 days. It was refreshing to see the place but above all, Bella and Sarah are by far what made it special.

Thanks ladies! You'll forever hold a special place in our...

When we visited the store, it was a joke. There were interesting things, to look at. Prices, were ridiculous. We visited twice, within a 2 year period. Being, I’m a fan of the show-I took pics. Nothing really changed. Same stuff, different day. I’m sure Mike has a warehouse full, of decent items. We tried, to find Franks place, to no avail. Mike has family, where I live. I guess he became “too famous” to call about some special pictures, that I wanted to pass onto him. Gotta, love Frank. He’s seems, more real. Last year in Nashville, the shop was closed. We arrived, too late. From, the outside-we weren’t impressed. The guys, obviously make money. I’ll gather, if you are a collector of rare items, they may or will find it. I would love to see Frank, do his own show. They are both under contract. Frank, shouldn’t be Mikes, wing man. Frank has class and extreme intelligence. It would be nice, to see unedited shows. See what’s real. Mikes Net worth, is 5 million. He can afford that extra on everything he buys. Just another reality show, that’s fake. There’s a certain filming time. If Mike is so interested, in the stories behind every pick, why isn’t he interested in his...