Business is up at Fife’s Tacoma Antique Center

Photo by Meghan Erkkinen

DEBORAH MIRAU, WHO OWNS TACOMA ANTIQUE CENTER IN FIFE WITH HER HUSBAND RICHARD, SAID THE ANTIQUES BUSINESS NEVER GETS BORING.

While antiques venues around the area are closing or struggling, the Tacoma Antique Center, located on 54th Street in Fife, is faring well.

About three months ago, Richard Mirau purchased Twice Told Tales, the antique mall that previously used the space, and renamed it. Mirau is the owner of antique company Dynasty Estates next door and purchased Twice Told Tales when the previous owners announced they were selling.

Tacoma Antique Mall has 135 spaces and showcases, which are rented to antiques vendors. In addition to the rent he charges for the spaces, Mirau receives a commission to cover the cost of a cashier and other employees.

When he took over the business, there were almost 40 empty spaces. Now, 75 vendors occupy all but two of the spaces.

“This is the largest, nicest mall in the area,” Mirau said.

While other antique businesses are struggling, Mirau has seen sales almost double in the last couple of months.

“The recession you’d think would be a really terrible thing, but on the other hand, people are coming in for better deals,” he said. “Things are going really well. We’re surprised at how fast things are turning around, especially with the state of the economy.”

Mirau and his wife, Deborah, have been working hard to get the word out about Tacoma Antique Center. They are reaching out to both the local community and to the antique community, including networking with other malls.

“All of that really helps the business in the end,” Mirau said.

Carolyn Johnson has been a vendor at the location for about six years. Johnson said the mall is different from others in a variety of ways.

“I really like the environment, the looks,” she said. “There’s just a camaraderie between the dealers, supporting each other…We really care about each other being successful.”

Johnson also said she appreciates Mirau’s forward-thinking approach to business.

“He’s very motivating and looks forward to the future with more advertising than in the past,” she said. “Richard has a positive, gung-ho attitude that makes this a big success.”

Vickie McDaneld has been in the antiques business for more than 20 years and is a new vendor at the Tacoma Antique Center. She decided to rent a space at the center after hearing there was a new owner making positive changes.

“I came in and I looked at it and I liked it,” McDaneld said. “I think once people get used to the fact that this place has changed…they’ll be more enthused.”

McDaneld said she has done well since opening her space at Tacoma Antique Center.

High sales numbers are one indicator of good business, but another is whether people return, according to Mirau.

“With antique malls it’s easy to get people to come in, but it’s difficult to get them to come back,” he said. “We just want to make it a more vibrant and successful mall and get people to come back.”

In order to reach out to the local community, the Miraus will be hosting a Christmas Open House at the Tacoma Antique Center Dec. 6. The event will feature refreshments and treats, as well as entertainment by the Evergreen Women’s Chorale at 12:30 p.m. Door prizes will be given away and a silent auction will be held to benefit World Vision. The open house will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Tacoma Antique Center is located at 1414 54th Ave. E. in Fife. For more information, call (253) 922-1297.

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