New auction house opens

Gazette Editor

news@gazettepublishingco.com

"Who will give me...."

That will echo from downtown Bellevue every Tuesday as the newest business - Wade Auctions - will begin auctions at 125 E. Main Street.

Wilbur Wade has located the new auction house in the former Ben Franklin store which had more recently housed Kit Henry's slot car racing business (see related story on Page 1). Wade will conduct auctions every Tuesday at 6 p.m. with a special antique auction every third Tuesday of the month at 5 p.m. The first auction will take place Tuesday, April 7.

Wade has 12 years of experience in the auction business. He is a graduate of the School of Auctioneering in Medina, Ohio, where he returns yearly for additional classes.

"I was always wheeling and dealing and trading stuff. I went to quite a few auctions and the auctioneers would see me and they said I should become an auctioneer, so here I am," said Wade, who recently moved to Bellevue from Shelby.

Wade said the first auction will be "full of items," as he has a truckload of merchandise coming in ranging from clothing and tools to food items.

Wade said the downtown wasn't his first choice for locating his auction business.

"I looked at a few places in the Bellevue area including the old Pamida store. But when this location came open, I talked to the owner who was willing to work with me. And, it has a back parking area and plenty of parking in the vicinity to accommodate my customers," said Wade.

Wade said he is always looking for items to sell on consignment. He can be reached at 419-566-0613 or email at wadeauctions@yahoo.com.

"People said I was nuts for opening a business with the way the economy is. But hey, people are looking to make a few bucks by selling some of their stuff and others are looking to get good deals on merchandise. Some people can't afford $600 or $700 for a new washing machine and they can buy one at auction for $150," said Wade.

Bellevue Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rick Stegman welcomed another new business in the downtown district.

"The addition of a full service auction house will add a lot of new activity to our downtown area and will clearly provide new opportunities for our existing merchants," said Stegman.

Stegman said the chamber and city administration worked closely with Wade to create a favorable environment for him to locate his new business.