Leeanne Henley, left, with her brother Richard Webb, right, pose in front of the sign for their new antique mall, Super City Antiques, which opens Friday.
— Michele Longworth| Metropolis Planet
Booth number 12 shown above is that of Tony and Reda Krueger, of Metropolis. Reda Krueger says their booth has antiques and primitive items.
— Michele Longworth| Metropolis Planet
This new business venture is the idea of Richard Webb, and his sister and brother-in-law, Leeann and Adron Henley, all of Metropolis.
Webb, who managed the I-24 Antique Mall for three years, explains that with the exception of two or three vendors, most all of his 36 vendors are from Metropolis and also notes that he has a waiting list of about 15 people who would like to locate in his antique mall.
He says with the opening of the antique mall, it would be more like putting 36 people into business.
Webb said after the I-24 Antique Mall closed in December, he began talking to his sister about opening up an antique mall uptown because there were several people who expressed interest in becoming a vendor.
As Metropolis resident Kathy Powell points out, “There are so many empty buildings. We need something to come into our town,” she said, describing Metropolis as a dying town.
Someone who shares Powell’s view is R&M Computer Owner Ralph Miatkowski, who closed his doors at the end of 2012. Miatkowski explains he witnessed several businesses in Metropolis close their doors last year.
“Metropolis is my second home, but I feel soon it will become a Cairo,” he says, pointing out to cut expenses, he closed his shop on Market Street. “I felt like it was time to get off a sinking ship. Nobody seems to support small business anymore.”
Both Webb and Henley said with the opening of Super City Antiques, they want to encourage the people of Metropolis to shop uptown.
Henley, who also owns her own sewing business, is both excited and nervous about the opening of Super City Antiques & Collectibles.
According to Webb, through his affiliation with the former antique mall and from his travels, he has made friends and connections across the country and even across the world, noting that he has sold items to a person from Switzerland.
Webb said he has been in contact with a table buyer friend of his from Huntsville, Ala. who plans to be in Metropolis on Friday morning to check out Super City Antiques.
Among Super City Antique’s vendors are Tony and Reda Krueger, of Metropolis. “Richard has good vendors and every booth is neat,” said Reda Krueger, whose booth will feature antiques and primitives.
Another Metropolis couple, Amon and Marilyn White, have a booth in the new store. Marilyn White explains that their booth has a lot of glassware and some costume jewelry.
Webb said that with the other unique stores located on or near Market Street —Sanibel’s Treasures; Treasure Chest and Sixth & Vintage —he feels Super City Antiques & Collectibles will help draw more people to uptown Metropolis.
Both he and Henley said they hope their business will help in revitalizing the uptown area.
Super City Antiques & Collectibles will be open Tuesday through Sunday and for more information about business hours and vendors, individuals may contact Webb at 618-524-1800.
