By Marcus Uhe
Mancave owners and collectors across the South-East are carrying heavy hearts after owners of the Antique Collectables Warehouse in Tooradin decided to close their operation after 10 years of trading.
More than 1000 items of vintage memorabilia such as old signs, oil cans, vintage tools, pinball machines and steam engines were auctioned from Saturday 26 February to Monday 28 February, with a red telephone booth fetching $4550.
Gavin Watson said his business was another hit hard by the pandemic.
“Even since reopening, we’ve been down 80 per cent,” Mr Watson said.
“Even when restrictions did open up, people still wouldn’t come in.
“Financially, purchasing these items is just not a priority anymore.”
Mr Watson opened the store after the genre experienced a surge in popularity a decade ago.
“Guys who grew up in the ’70s with old cars from that era, love all the stuff that comes with it.”
