I asked myself this question many times over about two weeks ago while on vacation. We were at the tourist trap of the East Coast (Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, TN.) for five days. After going in many shops, I noticed lighthouse items were scarce or not at all in many of the stores. Just a few years ago these same stores had many different lighthouse items for sale. You could choose from the best (Harbour Lights) or lower grade items such as Spoontiques or Lefton or some of the other cheap brands. Now, it seems most of all of these items are gone! The big stores that used to sell Harbour Lights don't any more. Is this the new trend or just the economy these days? Just a few years ago, all the Cracker Barrel stores sold lighthouse figurines and lighthouse T-shirts. I noticed that the ones I've been to lately no longer carry these items also! Has anyone else across the country noticed this besides me! I would like to hear from others!


[This message has been edited by Randy Kremer (edited 04-23-2002).]

Randy,

I was in a Cracker Barrel in SC at the end of March and they had loads of lighthouse stuff!

Overall, I think the collectibles industry may be a bit of a downturn. One of the other things I collect--Boyds Bears--has had a downturn in profits.

Probably due to the economy and post Sept. 11th.

Personally, I know I'm not spending as much on collectibles as I had in the past.


------------------
Diane

The glass is half full, Randy! There's been such a rush on lighthouse stuff that they can't keep it on the shelves. It just flys out of the store!

Bob
(The eternal optimist)

Diane, it could be that it is closer to the coast than the ones where I live. They used to sell lots of lighthouse items in the store just down the road from us - not anymore!

Wishful thinking Bob! (LOL)

There are those of us who are "real" lighthouse collectors and those who are "wannabes". I don't mean this to be derrogatory. I mean that there are those of us who really and truly enjoy visiting and collecting lights and there are those who think they look cute in their living room, bathroom, etc. I think that the craze may be waning for the wannabes, as there is always something else, like birdhouses, sunflowers or whatever the marketers want people to buy. I can't say that I have noticed any downward trend in the wannabe market, and I certainly do see quite a bit of it in catalogs that I receive in the mail. I agree with earlier posts that the entire collectibles market is down, just as the rest of the economy is. It will be interesting to see the collectors show in Rosemont. Anyway, I mean no offense to anyone, I just think that there is a true distinction between true enthusiasts and home decorators. Oh yes, I am guilty of decorating my home with lighthouses, but it will not change when the next "craze" comes along.

chris g

I have noticed that the crackerbarrel in bradenton FL. has no more lights and just a few T shirts for a while now.But they keep changing stock.Bill O'Brien

The collectibles market seems to be down. My local lighthouse shop is now going out of business. This is sad to see. This was my HL dealer, now I need to find another dealer. He carried all sorts of lighthouse stuff including items brought up from sunken ships by divers.

Suzanne

Randy, while in SW Michigan area last Feb a salesperson at Crackerbarrel told us only stores within coastal areas would be selling lighthouse items. Seems to be true. as far as the Smokies, maybe they figure folks visiting there aren't really interested in Lighthouse items- "oh and I brought you this nice lighthouse souvenir from the Smokies." Of course it doesn't make any dif. to me I check for LH stuff any where I go.

Bud

Just a bit of checking through the Lighthouse Depot site to see what lines are left.

Geo Lefton is bankrupt. LH Depot currently has 53 items available.

Cheryl Spencer Collins is out of business. LH Depot currently has 14 items available.

Spoontiques is a going thing. LH Depot carries 178 items.

LH Depot carries 271 items from Harbour Lights.

Just checking.

When you're the best-----------

Bud

"Only the strong survive..."

While other manufacturers of lighthouse replicas are falling on hard times, Harbour Lights are more popular than ever. The success of Harbour Lights is a credit to the Younger family, the workers as Harbour Lights, and the collectors who support the efforts of Younger & Associates.

It's a team effort that makes the whole process work.

Bob

Fire the Lyle gun! Bob's gone overboard!


[This message has been edited by JTimothyA (edited 05-07-2002).]

I'd say it is still going pretty strong here in NJ. I've only been collecting a year, so maybe I am hypervigilant, but it seems I now see lights everywhere, from dinner sets in Macy's to mail boxes in the hardware store.

St. John,

Thanks for the facts. That is what this discussion needs. As for myself, I buy only a few these days. Out of shelves and other flat surfaces. Too many packed together sheepens the display, IMHO

Moby