What has promoter Barry M. Cohen (b4rTime, Inc) been doing since the location of his successful Navy Pier Show was sold by facility management to another antique week event? Looking for a new venue, of course.
“Philadelphia is probably the toughest major city in America to site an antiques show,” says Cohen, “which is one reason why our facility was taken from us. But after months of working under the cloak of complete secrecy, I am pleased to announce that my search has succeeded.”
Cohen is delighted that he managed to meet not some, but all, of the criteria on his rigorous checklist: location within the city of Philadelphia; space for at least 50 booths with easy load-in for dealers; convenient to down-town and the Main Line; reasonable driving distance from the Naval Business Center; proximity to major highways; free onsite parking; and, if possible, lots of windows.
The facility the show is moving to is called Sherman Mills at East Falls. On the banks of the Schuylkill River, East Falls is a 300-year-old community that has been ranked by Philadelphia Magazine as one of the city’s “10 Cool Neighborhoods.” There, developer Mark Sherman recently converted a Civil War-era textile mill into an “artist community,” with its own bakery, yoga space and studios for craftspeople. One of the buildings in this complex is Alexandra Hall, which will be the new location of the Cohen/ Burk show.
This quaint and attractive facility, removed from the hubbub of Center City, is at 3502 Scotts Lane in Philadelphia, just off Kelly Drive and I-76. About ten minutes from the Main Line, Sherman Mills is only 20 minutes from I-95 and the show’s former location.
“I’m pleased Barry was able to find such a great space for the relocation of this important Americana show,” says co-promoter Jim Burk. “The parking alone will win people over at once,” Cohen predicts.
Cohen and Burk will be announcing the show’s new name and roster in future communications. Jim Burk continues to handle contracts and management of their joint venture in York. He can be reached at 717-872-2778 and jrburk1@comcast.net . For Philadelphia contracts and information, Cohen can be reached at 703-914-1268 or b4rtime@cox.net .
