AnnTeeKeys Antiques, Flea Mall & Auctions will be having their annual “Bargains For You On HWY 82,” on Oct. 2nd and 3rd.
The mother-daughter duo and event organizers, Paula Shrewsbury and Reagan Stanford, describe the event as a ‘shopper’s dream.’ Sellers from all across the area come out and have items for sale on Hwy 82.
Shrewsbury and Stanford run AnnTeeKeys Antiques and have a passion for restoring and selling quality antiques.
The event has been going on for seven years but when the original event planners were no longer able to carry on with it, Shrewsbury and Stanford saw how good this was for locals and local businesses and decided to pick up the mantle.
“We just wanted to keep it going. So we picked it up and started marketing it. It has a really good turnout. Anywhere between 60 to 100 sellers and businesses set up on Highway 82 and there are just so many good potential finds for shoppers,” Shrewsbury said.
Stanford shared an example of one unbeatable shopping finds that took place last year.
“Somebody literally came and sold their entire house of furniture for $10 a piece,” Stanford exclaimed. “They just wanted to get rid of everything, so they sold it all for $10 a piece, really good and solid furniture.”
One of the event’s most popular sales is their 25-cent sale. There will be tables in the parking lot with numerous items that fall within the 25-cent sale.
“Now just because an item is in the 25-cent sale doesn’t mean it is worth 25 cents. You could find an item there that would normally cost you $10 dollars at Walmart,” Shrewsbury said.
But besides this being a buyer’s paradise, the two emphasized the importance of an event like this for all the surrounding communities.
“It is a great marketing tool. It markets Crossett, Strong and El Dorado,” Shrewsbury explained. “I can’t tell you how many people we talk to during the sale that say, ‘I saw your advertisement for this and decided to come.’ They’re coming from Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana for this sale.”
“This event also allows us to bring more attention to Strong. Because generally when you look at a map, you will see El Dorado or Crossett. Rarely will you see Strong be recognized, so a goal of ours is to help put strong back on the map,” Stanford added.
The pair also likes that this event provides something for locals to do. With so much going on in the world, including the COVID-19 pandemic, they’re hoping that this will serve as a nice reprieve from it all.
“It is fun. 2020 has been crazy and this is just a fun event. It is fun to shop, it is fun to get out and it is fun to see what you can find,” Shrewsbury said. “It is also fun to get there first, fill your car, go unload and come on back.”
They encourage everyone to bring their mask, hand sanitizer and follow the same guidelines one would if they were shopping anywhere else.
On the day of, there will be big banners and signs to let shoppers know the sellers that are participating in “Bargains For You On Hwy. 82.” Anyone wanting more information about the event or getting a spot to sell are encouraged to contact Shrewsbury and Stanford. Their contact information can be found on their website, annteekeys.com, and the AnnTeeKeys Antiques, Flea Mall, & Auctions Facebook page.