PICKED APART Inside American Pickers stars’ business drama from Frank Fritz’s struggling store sales to Mike Wolfe’s expensive items
PICKED APART Inside American Pickers stars’ business drama from Frank Fritz’s struggling store sales to Mike Wolfe’s expensive items
AMERICAN Pickers has endured low ratings for some time, but now it seems that the personal business ventures of its stars have come on hard times as well.
From Frank Fritz’s struggling antique store sales to Mike Wolfe’s expensive store items, it appears that TV ratings may be the least of the History Channel stars’ problems.
American Pickers has endured low ratings for some time but now it seems that the personal business ventures of its stars have come on hard times as well
Frank Fritz is the owner of the antique shop Frank Fritz Finds in Savanna, Illinois
Frank, 59, who was hospitalized after having a stroke last year, is the owner of the antique shop Frank Fritz Finds in Savanna, Illinois.
FINDING OUT
Last month, the shockingly low annual sales of the antique store were revealed as Frank’s conservator helped manage the shop following the American Pickers star’s debilitating stroke.
The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal Frank Fritz Finds’ estimated annual sales, per Experian’s Business Valuation Report.
Frank Fritz Finds’ estimated annual sales are reportedly $25,000.
The company’s Business Credit Score is 27 and the business is considered to be a “medium risk.”
According to the report, the score “predicts the likelihood of serious credit delinquencies within the next 12 months.”
Frank Fritz Finds’ estimated annual sales are reportedly $25,000
Back in March, The U.S. Sun obtained photos of the store appearing ’emptier’
As for the Financial Stability Risk Ratings, the shop received a “medium-high” risk of four out of five rating.
The report claims this means there is a “10 percent potential risk of severe financial distress within the next 12 months.”
A lawyer for Frank did not respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
Back in March, The U.S. Sun obtained photos of the store appearing “emptier.”
An insider told The U.S. Sun: “There hasn’t been a single new item in the store. An employee told me new antiques come in ‘literally never.'”
When questioned about the last time Frank was seen at the store, the worker replied that the store owner hasn’t been seen “in years.”
ROUGH REVIEWS
The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed that customers of Frank Fritz Finds have complained about late workers and rude staff as Frank continues to recover from a stroke
One customer wrote in December 2022 on Google Reviews: “It was supposed to open at 10am. When we went in the lights were not on and antique sales lady was late, according to another worker.
The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed that customers of Frank Fritz Finds have complained about late workers and rude staff members
“She did open up the antique sales for us (which is not heated so be prepared in the winter)… There were a decent amount of actual antiques that were reasonably priced. Definitely cluttered. The staff was ehh.”
Another recently wrote: “I was a huge fan of the show. I stopped in to give Frank support and see what all the buzz was about. The place looked like an episode of hoarders… Staff was rude. Just disappointing. How is this place in business?”
A third complained: “Nothing but overpriced junk… Employees are rude. Don’t waste your hard-earned money.”
But not all customers agreed, as another commented: “Friendly and helpful folks. From one Frank to another, four-star rating.”
Another said: “Locals are friendly and helpful finding Fritz collection. That’s also the not-so-good part. For a curiosity shop it’s hard to find because it’s behind the bar in what looks like a private room.”
FRANK’S CONSERVATORSHIP
Frank’s close friends filed an emergency appointment of a temporary guardian and conservator for the star on August 18, 2022, claiming his “decision-making capacity is so impaired” from the stroke.
The conservatorship papers exclusively obtained by The U.S. Sun revealed plans to revamp the store.
Frank’s close friends filed an emergency appointment for a temporary guardian and conservator after he suffered a stroke in July 2022
The Initial Plan filed by conservator MidWestOne Bank read: “Mr. Fritz is a well-known collector and has numerous outbuildings full of valuable collections.
“The conservator has not yet inventoried those items but plans to leave them largely as they are now, with the exception of stocking Mr. Fritz’s antique store in Savannah, IL as needed.
“Conservator is hopeful [Frank] will be able to participate in selection and pricing of items as he did previously.”
‘VERY EXPENSIVE!’
American Pickers star and creator Mike Wolfe, 59, owns Antique Archaeology, with stores located in both Le Claire, Iowa and Nashville, Tennessee.
Customers have complained about Mike selling items inside his Nashville antique store for high prices—including $18 socks and a $900 cat food sign.
American Pickers star and creator Mike Wolfe owns Antique Archaeology, with stores located in both Le Claire, Iowa and Nashville, Tennessee
Customers have complained about Mike selling items inside his Nashville antique store for high prices
The U.S. Sun has obtained exclusive photos inside the Nashville, Tennessee store that revealed the pricey items.
In one photo, Mike is selling “Gone Pickin’ socks” for $18.
Another expensive item includes a $900 Purina Chow antique sign, while a Pepsi-Cola sign is going for $1,200.
A vintage Pepsi machine will set customers back $2,200.
Other collectibles include an early toy motor for $75 and a pair of 1942 Ohio license plates for $100.
Customers have complained about the expensive prices in the Nashville store.
One customer recently wrote on Google Reviews: ‘Nice place to visit. Plenty to do and see. Prices are a little high. But you can find items that you cannot find anywhere else’
Mike is selling ‘Gone Pickin’ socks’ for $18
One customer recently wrote on Google Reviews: “Nice place to visit. Plenty to do and see. Prices are a little high. But you can find items that you cannot find anywhere else.”
A second commented: “If you’re interested in buying a piece there’s not a huge variety of items to choose from. Lots of merch from Antique Archeology though. Everything is overpriced. Everything.”
A third said: “Kind of disappointed… Mostly just merch for the show… Very few items to purchase, very expensive!”
TOO MUCH MERCH
The U.S. Sun previously reported Antique Archaeology in Iowa came under fire by customers for selling mainly merchandise instead of antiques.
Customers have complained about the Nashville store’s lack of collectibles as well.
One user wrote on Google reviews: “The staff was friendly enough, however most everything in there was just merchandise that advertised Antique Archaeology.
Antique Archaeology in Iowa came under fire by customers for selling mainly merchandise instead of antiques
One user wrote on Google reviews: ‘The staff was friendly enough, however, most everything in there was just merchandise that advertised Antique Archaeology’
“I wanted to see more of the stuff that the guys picked up around the country to sell and possibly make a purchase, but as there were very few items in there that would fit my needs.
“All I saw was the overpriced merchandise that advertised antique archeology.”
A second wrote: “The place is so small and very little of the antiques collected on the show are for sale or even there in the store. It’s mostly just cheap souvenir stuff.”
The photos obtained by The U.S. Sun show the merchandise including pins, magnets, shot glasses, key chains, bumper stickers, shirts, hats, tote bags, mugs, glasses, thermometers, gloves, and more items.
ESTIMATED SALES
Antique Archaeology’s Nashville location’s estimated annual sales have been revealed after he faced backlash over his “expensive” items.
The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed Antique Archaeology Nashville’s estimated annual sales, per Experian’s Business Valuation Report.
Antique Archeology Nashville’s estimated annual sales are reportedly $903,000.
Antique Archeology Nashville’s estimated annual sales are reportedly $903,000
The company’s Business Credit Score is “low risk,” meaning there is a “good probability of on-time payment,” according to the report.
As for the Financial Stability Risk Ratings, Antique Archaeology received a low risk of two out of a five rating, meaning a “1.11 percent potential risk of severe financial distress within the next 12 months.”
A rep for Mike and Antique Archaeology have not responded to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
PUMPING UP PROFITS
Last month, Mike hired a new agent for his antique business, as the Iowa store has struggled with low annual sales.
The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal the reality TV star has hired a new registered agent for Antique Archaeology Nashville, LLC.
According to the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office, the Annual Report for 2022 was filed on June 23, 2023.
The registered agent was changed from Steve Brown to Beth Welzenbach, who is Mike and Robbie’s sister.
The stores in both Nashville, Tennessee, and Le Claire, Iowa are under Antique Archaeology Nashville, LLC.
The change comes as The U.S. Sun previously reported Antique Archaeology in Iowa’s estimated annual sales, per Experian’s Business Valuation Report.
Antique Archaeology’s estimated annual sales are reportedly $62,000.
The company’s Business Credit Score is 23, which is “medium-high risk.”
The report claims of the score: “This score predicts the likelihood of serious credit delinquencies within the next 12 months.”
As for the Financial Stability Risk Ratings, Antique Archaeology received a medium risk of three out of five rating.
The report claims: “This rating predicts the likelihood of payment default and/or bankruptcy within the next 12 months.”
A rep for Mike and Antique Archaeology did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
