Article & Photos by Barbara Arnstein
Every Wednesday, year-round, Gentner’s Commission Market in Springville (fondly referred to by locals as “The Hill”) has auctions, which include chickens and calves, rabbits and roosters, pigs and peacocks, sheep, goats, turkeys and ducks. After Memorial Day, and into autumn, the outdoor area in front of the auction barn, and the large meadow behind it, are full of booths, blankets, tables and racks offering all kinds of fruit and vegetables, herbs, flowers in pots and hanging baskets, baked goods, and a huge assortment of flea market items. The plants include strawberry and tomato seedlings, snapdragons, geraniums, marigolds and many more.
Each week, in warm weather, all kinds of household and antique items are auctioned off behind the barn, such as furniture, bicycles, and holiday decorations. An Amish bakery booth there sells various delicious baked goods including breads, jams, cookies, and fruit pies, large and small, including apple and raspberry. One stand specializes in sauces, and another in honey. Gardeners buy garden decorations, kids buy toys, carpenters buy tools, and collectors find all kinds of antique collectibles. There is always lots of costume jewelry, and there are ceramic figurines, peppers and pickles, and silly signs to hang around the house.
The clothing racks always offer bargains. There are tables where you can sit and have a snack from the snack stand, and there are unique works of art by local artists. Plus, during every visit, there’s the excitement of never knowing exactly what interesting objects you might find. This month, one female customer was thrilled to find a framed antique wedding photo to add romance to her living room, and a male customer was equally thrilled to find a print of his favorite basketball player in mid-leap.
“Gentner’s has been going for over eighty-five years”, said Gentner’s bookkeeper, who said everyone calls her Aunt Cindy. “Renting a 20′ x 20′ space in the back costs $25. The auctions begin at 9am. It costs three dollars to get a number, and there’s a 25% commission.” The current owner and auctioneer, Damon Gentner, is a third-generation member of the family. Mark Steffan, a musician with fond memories of the Gentner auctions, recently wrote a song about them that includes audio of Damon auctioneering. The song is “Man Who Shot the Moon” (the phrase refers to buying an entire row of auction items) and it is included in his album, “Heart on the Hill”.
The market is open every Wednesday from 7am-6pm. It is located at 341 West Main Street, in Springville, NY. For more information, go to: Facebook.com, Gentners Commission Market or call (716) 592-4062