BRG's 1920s Private Preview Party & Mini Charity Auction Benefitting Bridgeport Rescue Mission

Selections from the production of Boardwalk Empire and other 
unique items offered in March 7 charity event.

The 21st century is about to time-warp into the Prohibition Era on Saturday, March 7 at Black Rock Galleries (BRG) during its Boardwalk Empire Private Preview Party and Live Charity Auction benefiting Bridgeport Rescue Mission. BRG is hosting this auction preview party in conjunction with its larger online auction which concludes on March 11. With an expected party attendance of around 150 people, BRG’s invitation only event kicks-off at six p.m. and will take place on the third floor of BRG’s showroom located at 1720 Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport, CT.

BRG’s managing directors, Grant Panarese and Christie Spooner, wanted to give back to the community. So as the plans for a preview party developed over the last two of weeks, adding a charitable component seemed only natural. For BRG’s auction house, what better way is there to achieve this goal than by holding an auction? This charity auction contains an unique grouping of lots including select pieces from the Boardwalk Empire production, a Faberge whiskey decanter set, as well as several specialty services such as a four-hour restoration workshop with Panarese, and an in-home professional appraisal of up to 20 items provided by world-renowned appraiser, Kenneth Jay Linsner.

“Bridgeport is BRG’s home and we want to do something meaningful for the community,” explains Spooner. “In our quest to find a charity that directly impacts this area, Bridgeport Rescue Mission’s name kept coming up so it was an easy choice for us. They provide an invaluable service to people who truly depend on them for survival.”
In fact, for over 20 years, Bridgeport Rescue Mission embraced the urban poor and addicted in Fairfield County with the compassion of Christ, offering hope, healing and changing lives. The mission provides safe shelter for men and women, a guest house for women and children, food outreach, education, skills training and so much more.

“We are excited to have been selected as beneficiary in Black Rock Galleries’ charity auction and look forward to attending the preview party on March 7th,” states Terry Wilcox, executive director of Bridgeport Rescue Mission. “We are grateful to Grant and Christie for their support of the programs and services we offer to men, women and children from the community who come to the Mission for food, emergency shelter and help in overcoming addiction.”

Black Rock Galleries’ founders, Grant Panarese and Christie Spooner, set out on their own, after almost 20 years in the antiques, auction and consignment arena, to create a one-stop enterprise based upon knowledge, honesty, integrity and the belief that fine antiques and home decor shouldn’t be cost prohibitive. What began in 2010 as Bridgeport Salvage Company in the Mill Hill section of Bridgeport quickly grew into a unique business offering a consignment shop, full auction and estate sale services and expert appraisals. By 2012, growth pushed them to a new facility with over 50,000 square feet of showroom space and a new moniker, Black Rock Galleries (BRG). With BRG’s new online auction and shopping platform, the business continues to grow exponentially under the guidance of its founders and the support of their clients. BRG is located at 1720 Fairfield Avenue, with easy access from I-95 (exit 25) and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Featuring a fresh and changing inventory of quality furnishings, antiques, fine art and more, BRG offers something for every taste, budget and style. Visit blackrockgalleries.com or call (203) 335-0000.