Entrepreneur Encourages Internet Savvy To Boost Antique Row

Don Betz, who recently opened on Antique Row in Cockeysville, will be the first to tell you he's no expert on antiques.

But he does know how to use technology to market a business, and that is what he hopes will help his store thrive in a strip where many others have gone under.

The 61-year-old Timonium resident has worked in retail for about 35 years and was recently the manager of Jay's Sports Connection in Lutherville. 

Neighbors suggested that he open an antique store in the location that had housed the once-popular Bentley's Antiques but which had been vacant for about five years. He was intrigued with operating a store that had once been owned by Congresswoman Helen Bentley.

"People approached me about my expertise in sales and marketing," he said. "And it sounded like fun to open an antique store."

So on Oct. 8 Betz gave new life to a business focused on the past. And he hopes that by using the Internet that his company will buck a troubling trend that has spread through Antique Row in recent years.

Walking down the 10000 block of , where Antique Row is located, customers will encounter many vacant storefronts and businesses that are only open a few days a week.

"Back in the 70s there was a constant flow of people coming through these streets," Betz said. "We're trying to get back to that. "

The problem, according to Betz, is that owners of some of the older business are unwilling to get with the times.

"We use social media. You'll find us on Facebook, Craigslist," Betz said. "We look online to find nearby auctions to purchase items. Some of the other stores aren't so familiar with the Internet. They didn't change with the rest of the country."

Betz also hopes to create a community around the area to get the customers coming back.

"We need to promote the whole block and revitalize the Antique Row concept," he said. "We need music, wine, events."

He wants to model Cockeysville's Antique Row after Antique Row in Old Towne Frederick and Main Street in Old Elllicott City.

"I'm just trying to bring fun and excitement back to this staid old business," Betz said. "It's slowly dying but we're trying to turn that around."

And he said his methods are already working for American Past Times, which specializes in Americana collectibles.

"There's been a very good response so far," Betz said. "And our prices are very competitive."

In fact, Betz credits his Internet savvy with helping him to fairly price his store's items. Using the web, he is able to find out what similar pieces sold for online.

"We just have to change our way of thinking," he said.

And Betz isn't the only one hoping to see change come to Antique Row.

Ellie Pieper, a 23-year-old a few months ago, also wants to see the crowds return.

"I've heard that these streets used to be overflowing," Pieper said. "It'd be nice to get back to that again."

, which hosts furniture vendors, said improving the exteriors of the Antique Row buildings would also be helpful.

"I've painted the front of the building and have gotten a lot of positive feedback," Johnson said. "We need to get some of the other stores sprucing up their storefronts as well."