The Annual Manhasset Antiques & Decoratives Show, the longest running antique show on Long Island, also happened to John and Tina Bruno’s first show as promoters.
In 1994, after being sellers at the show for three years, John and his wife Tina took over the show as both promoters and managers.
“The show has a nice warm place in our heart,” John said. “It is still our favorite show to do.”
Tina is the president of Flamingo Eventz, a New Hampshire-based antique show promotion company. John is the company’s vice president.
On Oct. 24 and 25, both John and Tina were back in Manhasset helping set up, manage and run the 61st Annual Manhasset Antiques & Decoratives Show.
The show took place at The Congregational Church Of Manhasset, as a benefit for the church’s Women’s Club.
The Women’s Club received the proceeds that were collected from the price of admission, which they used for outreach, said Donna Marchese, the church’s executive director.
The price of admission was $7 per person.
John said that the event concentrates on silver and ceramics from the 18th and 19th century.
In addition, the event also showcases porcelain china from 1820-1920, John said.
Pieces from more than 15 exhibitors were presented in designed displays in individual rooms in the church’s school.
The pieces came from exhibitors from across the country, including New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Arizona, Maine, and Pennsylvania.
John said that the event used to draw 60-70 exhibitors per year, but the antique business has “downsized” in recent years.
“[The show] attract[s] a core of serious, hardcore buyers looking for specific things,” John said. “The show becomes what its guests are looking for.”
Despite a decline in exhibitors, John said, the show continues to bring different generations of collectors together.
“The Manhasset [Antiques & Decoratives Show] is the grand dame of antique shows, yet she continually changes her clothes to meet the needs of new generations of collectors,” he said. “It grows and changes as it needs to keep it vibrant, keep it alive and exciting.”
After being raised on Long Island and living in Port Washington for 10 years, John said, he “comes back to Long Island every chance [he gets.]”
“My heart is on Long Island,” he said. It is my home.”
John’s experience with antiques began when he was 13 years old.
“I’m 69 [years old] now so you can say I have a few years under my belt,” he said, “I’m very fortunate.”
In addition to being a dealer, collector and an appraiser, John was one of the stars of “Market Warriors” on PBS.
“Market Warriors,” a spin-off of “Antique Roadhouse” another PBS antique-based show, lasted 20 episodes between 2012-2014.
John said that the show gave more of an authentic look into the trials and tribulations of the antique business.
“We went out to prove that its really not easy to make a living in the antique world,” he said. “[The show demonstrated] how hard how [we] worked, and how difficult it is to make a living in the antique world.”
The format of the show, John said, was that each cast member was given a certain amount of money and time that they could spend on antiques at a flea market or show.
Then, after purchasing their antique, they had to sell their purchase at an auction and make a profit, John said.
“It was exceptionally hard to do, [but] it was a lot of fun,” John said.
After getting his start in television in 1994, John said that he has been on seven other television shows in addition to “Market Warriors.”
Currently, John said that he is not on television, but that is something that could change quickly.
“[I recently] received an email from [“Market Warrior’s”] producers asking the cast to get together for a dinner meeting in Boston next weekend,” he said. “So we will see.”
