The Antique Marketplace of Lemoyne — Attraction in Lemoyne

No Star Rating: A Vendor's Experience

We are former long-time Vendors with Antique Marketplace. While operating our booth in late 2020, we had two antique Edison cylinder phonographs for sale. To deter patrons from winding the phonographs, we requested the sales staff keep both cranks behind the counter, tagged with our Vendor number and which crank belonged to which phonograph. We watched as the cranks were tagged and placed in boxes both times. At some point, we decided to take one of the Edisons home and asked the staff for the cranks; they couldn't find them. The storage cubicles behind the counter were a chaotic nightmare of boxes cluttered with junk, totally visible to patrons. One staff stated at least six times that "she had no idea what we were talking about". We had to draw her a picture. After some searching, looking like the Keystone Cops in slow motion, they had no success, but assured us they would be found. Two days later, we returned to learn still no luck, but for the fact one staff then just happened to reach back into a cubicle and extract one of the cranks that was apparently haphazardly thrown there inside a plastic bag. How did it come to exit the box we watched them put it in originally? And yet, where was the other one? I will also add the cubicles appeared to have been cleaned up after our last visit. We asked to talk to the manager; were told he was unavailable. We asked to talk to the (NEW) owner; were told she was out until Monday. We asked for her phone number; were told she doesn't like to have her number given out. We were their VENDORS. So we had to wait an additional THREE more days to get this resolved. We returned Monday, a THIRD time; upon our arrival, we heard the sales staff mumble "they're here", when the owner promptly turned to face us and immediately stated (we didn't even get "hello") they couldn't find them....over and over, nobody knew who stored them (why did they think this was even relevant?), and had no resolution to offer except to curtly tell us "we should have had insurance". She and HER EMPLOYEES were irresponsible, negligent and careless, and thought no one should be held accountable but us; so from our perspective, insurance has no substance here. Subsequently, thanks to "...we currently have the best staff this store had ever seen!" (per their December 1 newsletter....they can't even get their grammar right), we are now dealing with a phonograph that is essentially nonmarketable; our only recourse is to reach into our own pockets to replace the crank. We were so sure the owner and manager (who was AWOL the whole time) would work with us to come to a fair resolution and make it right, but all we got was argument and repeatedly talked over; a complete lack of professionalism. We brought this establishment many decent sales, were never late paying our rent and this is the thanks we get in return. We have been very, unfairly wronged. They have lost not only a prolific Vendor, but customers as well. There are plenty of other quality antiques shops we can frequent and sell with, and we can be sure we will be treated better...

New owners started closing the market on Sunday’s. Many customers voiced their dissatisfaction on the social media announcement but the market then deleted the post and limited comments, thus silencing their customers.

Allegedly, vendors have said this change was not communicated effectively to them and this change will impact their sales / revenue coming in.

This new schedule will make it difficult for customers to come in and shop, and I’d imagine, it wouldn’t give vendors a great reason to keep selling here. Allegedly, the market told vendors that “If it works for Chick Fil A, it will work for us” however, I think they may have failed to realize that they are in a completely different market than Chick Fil A.

I would hope that the above mindset is not a true reflection of the new owner’s knowledge and business mindset, but given their most recent actions, I don’t have faith in them.

All that to say, this USED to be the best place in the region to go antiquing and still is, but if their limited hours are now impacting your ability to shop there, there are many different antique markets within an hour radius that continue to keep their stores open...

I have come here multiple times over the years and have spent thousands of dollars. My husband (on oxygen) and I were recently there and we wanted to buy a large cabinet that was full of smalls. I asked staff if they could help me move the items inside. She rolled her eyes and grumbled under her breath as we walked to the back of the store. After we removed everything she walked away. After my husband and I finished our shopping we told the lady at the front desk we wanted to buy the cabinet located in the far rear of the store. She said they don't move things for customers. I would have to move it myself. My husband said he couldn't help me and asked if I could use a dolly. She said their insurance wouldn't allow it. After several minutes of pleading and being embarrassed and humiliated in front of the large group of customers that were now waiting to check out, an older gentleman helped me move and load it in my car.

I have worked retail my entire life and do believe that employees are covered under insurance. Nevertheless, we...