Duane Myrmoe turns childhood hobby into a lifelong career

From childhood auctions to antique expert, Duane Myrmoe has made a living off his childhood passion.

Duane Myrmoe’s fascination with antiques began back in 1961 when he was just seven years old. 

“My dad decided to get himself a hobby, which included me getting a hobby,” Myrmoe joked, recalling his first auction with his father. 

“My dad worked for John Morrell’s. Money was tight, but every auction we went to I was given 50 cents and told to go buy something,” he recalled. 

Myrmoe’s earliest memories include his father searching for anything over 100 years old and of future value. 

“My dad loved to collect dishes, even though he didn’t know a thing about them, and it became contagious. By the time I was 12, I was so hooked into antiques it was unreal. I was buying and selling things and making actual money at 12 years old. Now, at 69, I’m still chasing that feeling of buying and selling and being in the auction house with my dad,” he said.

The antique world Myrmoe entered is not the antique world of today. 

“When I opened Duane’s Antiques, there was information all around you. There were books, dealers, price guides, you name it. But when the 2008 recession hit, the largest book publisher of price guides went bankrupt, and that really threw a wrench into things because new collectors have no idea what they’re looking for or at as they are walking through an antique shop. Without these books, it’s hard to know what has resell value and what has sentimental value,” Myrmoe said.

Over the decades, Duane has seen trends come and go and is committed to helping ensure his customers don’t get duped. 

“I’ve seen all the changes in the antique world over the years, and I have to remind myself don’t get attached to a trend, because the younger generation is going to come around and change it. Right now, the younger generation is dead set on painting everything,” Myrmoe chuckled.

Staying competitive in the market helps newcomers feel at ease in his store. 

“I like to find out what I’m handling, and that happens through research. I don’t have a cell phone, so I do that research by talking to the dealer that purchased the item or made the item to learn all I can to pass onto my customer. People don’t want a fake antique with a good story, they want the real deal and that’s where I come in,” Myrmoe said.

Knowing his customers, Duane’s Antiques tries to stay as up to date as possible for his customers.

“To keep my doors open means I have to keep up with the trends, and I can follow along pretty easily now. What sets me apart is I search all over the internet for the next trend, and I don’t try to push dying ones on my customers. I know no one is looking for dinnerware right now because it’s the millennials that are filling their homes with treasures, and right now, they’re in the thick of it, eating off paper plates because they have young children, but they are all looking for style, and that’s where I come in,” he said.

Growing his collections for his customers, Duane’s Antiques is committed to preserving the past. 

“I have always been interested in various types of glass thanks to my dad. My personal favorite is carnival glass, which isn’t quite as popular as the depression glass is today. It reignited my love of antiques to talk to customers about patterns and colors of glass available. I used to do depression glass shows in the area, so I can provide valuable information to my customers who are looking for those specific pieces or patterns,” Myrmoe said.

Myrmoe encourages all those who are just finding their style or are wanting a change to visit his booth at I-29 Antiques. 

“Now is a great time to start buying antiques again because the prices are dropping. Furniture, art, and signage all hold their value and are projected to keep that value. Learning where these pieces came from and the history behind them while the artists and antique experts are still alive is an opportunity that will only be available for so long,” he said.

With a love of glass, trends, and his customers, Duane’s Antiques will be open for many years to come. 

“When you’ve done this for a lifetime, you can’t quit because every time I look at something, I appraise it, and I know that means I still have the desire to give my customers my best and to keep going,” Myrmoe said.