By Barbara Arnstein
On a recent beautiful May morning, Gentner’s Commission Market, the Springville Auction & Flea Market, was bustling with activity. Under a bright blue sky, people were crowding around displays of trays full of flower and vegetable seedlings, to begin their gardens. Tomato and strawberry seedlings, petunias in assorted colors, and herbs including chives, thyme, and tarragon were just a few of the many plants snapped up by the eager gardeners.
A few yards away from the garden displays, adults and children were looking through the bins that hold “Dollar Store”-type bargains. Kids love the toys there, while adults typically look for the practical things
like hand-held fans. The many toys include a battery-powered, hovering hummingbird and a plastic dolphin that swims continually in a bucket. Behind the bins there are racks of clothes. Those strolling among the numerous rows of tables at the market browsed through piles of hand-knitted baby blankets and dishcloths, tie-dyed t-shirts and hoodies, boxes of socks, used books and magazines, and vintage toys and tools, among other things.
The Market fondly referred to as “The Hill” is open on Wednesdays year-round, beginning at dawn, but is most active outdoors during the warm weather, when tables fill the meadow behind the big red barn where they auction the farm animals, produce, etc. The auction activity begins with the outside portion at 9am, while hay is sold at 12pm and inside the big red building at 2pm animals and produce are in the ring. Outside, customers buy everything from antique furniture and costume jewelry to produce, pies and pickles. Whenever an auctioneer begins auctioning off some items, people gather around not only to bid but to enjoy his amazing ability to reel off words so amazingly fast, for example: “Gonna get twenty, I’m gonna get ten, get ten, get ten, get five, five, five”.
Throughout the spring and summer, customers eagerly seek the farm-fresh fruits and vegetables in season, including strawberries, blueberries peaches and apples, along with foods such as cheese curds and sausages. A bakery booth run by Amish women offers many of the fruits deliciously transformed into pies and pastries. A booth selling honey and eggs typically sells out of eggs quickly (so if you’re hoping to get some, go early!) There is a stand selling franks and burgers, and another with freshly-made donuts.
Besides the buying and selling, “The Hill” provides a hub for friends to connect and socialize, a place for families to enjoy together, and an ever-changing treasure trove of fun and functional items ranging from carved wooden bowls to woven baskets, and fabrics to artificial flowers and produce. You never know just what you might find. One summer day last year, I heard a woman proudly proclaiming to her friends that she had just found a taxidermized rooster that she considered the prize of her lifetime collection of rooster-themed items.
“The market was opened in 1939 by Raymond Gentner and Norbert Kessler”, said Kerry Gentner. “Damon Gentner (the current owner and operator, who conducts auctions), is the third generation of Gentners to own and operate the Auction. We take pride in the fact that we are still able to maintain this weekly event in spite of the world’s recent setbacks. We try to maintain that ‘old school’ feel. It is truly a community up on the ‘hill’, as most call it. We have generations of customers that return every year. We wouldn’t have survived for 82 years without the love and support of our amazing customers and community.”
“We hope to continue to be of service to our community for generations to come”, she added. “It’s one of the last places that you can make a deal on a hand shake and a smile.” Gentner’s Commission Market is located at 341 West Main Street in Springville, NY. For more information: (716) 592-4062, or e-mail gentnercm@gmail.com, @GENTNERSCOMMISSIONMARKET