Date: Fri 09-Oct-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: DONNAM

Quick Words:

AnnArbor

Full Text:

Ann Arbor Antiques Market

w/8 cuts

By Joel Weber

ANN ARBOR, MICH. -- Margaret Brusher has sold the Ann Arbor Antiques Market.

But what could be crushing news is in many ways cause for celebration. Having

run "the market" for 30 years, Brusher believes she has guaranteed its

existence for another three decades. That's important to a lot of dealers who,

over the years, have depended on Ann Arbor for a regular payday.

The buyer is Tom Monaghan, founder of Domino's Pizza. The new managers are

Nancy and Woody Straub, well respected dealers from Panacea, Fla., who were

handpicked for the job by Brusher. The ubiquitous manager isn't totally out of

the picture. She'll be staying on in a consulting capacity.

Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

The September 19 and 20 market was bittersweet. It was the 30th anniversary

show. "There was the usual gathering of dealers from the East, the South, and

the Midwest. Most had done the gallery-style booths Brusher always encouraged

and loved to see.

As was her custom at every September show, flowers were delivered to every

dealer's booth, along with an invitation to stay awhile after the 4 pm

Saturday closing. She wanted to recognize the folks who have been with her for

these 30 years and ... "we will talk about old times and new times," she said.

Rumors of an impending sale of Brusher's market have been circulating for

years. At that 4 pm meeting she announced that it had finally happened.

"There have been a lot of offers," Brusher said. "Some were from people I

couldn't even begin to consider. Others were from companies who wanted to buy

it and remarket it, or move the event to another part of the state. It's the

Ann Arbor Antiques Market, and I wanted to be assured that it would stay in

Ann Arbor."

Tough Love

Brusher Style

Brusher has always been controversial. Many dealers resented her stringent "no

pre-show buying" rule. She has been known to ask dealers to leave when she

believed they were knowingly selling fakes or reproductions. She may be the

only manager in America who personally guaranteed that everything on the field

was honest and properly represented. She discouraged dealers from doing other

nearby shows in proximity to market dates. If a dealer couldn't offer fresh

merchandise, she'd urge him to not come to the market. You could cancel with

no hard feelings.

The quality of the market was always first and foremost in Brusher's mind.

While other great old markets have disappeared or turned into venues for

hubcaps and tube socks, Ann Arbor has flourished.

There were some policies about which she was unbending, but Brusher is a good

listener and always considered any idea that might improve her market or help

out the dealers. She has been unfailingly responsive to dealer needs and

problems.

The dealers were on Brusher's mind when push came to shove, and the time to

sell approached. Brusher expected loyalty from her dealers. In return she

always gave it back in spades.

"I wanted the Ann Arbor Market to stay in Ann Arbor," she said. "And I wanted

to make sure that it continued in the traditions we've established. I wanted

those dealers, who have been so loyal over the years to have their place.

They're the ones who really make the show. And many of them have come to

depend on this market for an important part of their livelihood. So it was

extremely important to me that the Ann Arbor Antiques Market end up in the

hands of someone who would keep it in the city, and maintain the three decades

of tradition we've built here."

Brusher believes that millionaire Tom Monaghan provides the perfect fit. But

the deal didn't happen overnight or on a whim. It developed over several

years.

Tom Monaghan is no stranger to the Brusher market. He's a familiar face to

many of the market regulars. When in town, he has been a frequent visitor.

It's a place he's always enjoyed. Now he owns it.

If It Ain't Broke

"Don't expect any major changes to happen," Monaghan said. "She has a great

thing going here and ... I plan to continue that. We have the dates for next

year already established, and I hope all of you will participate to make the

31st year ... as successful as the previous 30 years."

While details of the financial transaction weren't revealed, Monaghan will set

up the market as a nonprofit corporation with net proceeds going to provide

educational opportunities for needy children.

"I believe in and support the education of children," Brusher said. "A large

portion of the proceeds from the sale of the market will establish a

permanently endowed scholarship fund in memory of our son, Paul."

According to the terms of the sale, Brusher will maintain a stake in the

market, sort of a 401K with gallery booths.

"My husband, Fred, and I are both 74. We didn't want to leave our children

with the problem of dealing with the market. The time was right. We wanted an

orderly management transition. I feel like a load has been lifted from my

shoulders."

Ann Arbor without Brusher. To some it's almost unthinkable.

But, of course, on that third weekend in April, 1999, Brusher will be there at

the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds on Ann Arbor-Saline Road. She'll be

advising. Or pushing a broom. Or a mop. She may be making sure that the staff

is in place or that the kitchen is under control.

Brusher will be there. As long as there's an Ann Arbor Antiques Market, the

spirit of Margaret Brusher be on the field.