Murry Associates Build New Building To House Auction Center LITITZ (Lancaster Co.) A new 6,400 square foot building has taken shape along the Lititz Springs Creek off North Lane that promises to be another boost for the auction industry in Lancaster County and the surrounding reg ion. This new auction center that is to open next Saturday, Sept 24. is the dream of Elmer and Richard Murry, the father and son team of E.M. Murry Associates, head quarted at 10 S. Broad St “We have been looking for a place to accommodate our auc tions better than on a one-day set up at a fire hall,” Richard said. “Over three years we have investi gated different places, running into many bureaucratic obstacles. Finally, at the end of July of this year, we received final building permits for the warehouse slab that was used by Wilbur Chocolate before a fire destroyed the building four or five years ago. “We feel we are beautifying Lititz, and not only the town, but we ate also providing a service to Lancaster County and the sur rounding area with another auction' facility. The auction business is a growing industry, and in many areas this business is only in its infancy. “An auction is an answer to eco nomics regardless if the economy is good or bad,” Richard said. “People sell in good times to make a profit and in bad times they sell to get out of debt or escape their problems.” The Murrys already have 13 auctions lined up for the new QSBBB. bins and augers ymak Take ’em Down! We Will Assemble & Deliver Bins To Your Farm building. At the opening sale they have a full line of antiques, includ ing Jaguar automobiles, Lionel trains, machinist tools and fire arms. They plan to hold auctions every Monday and as they have merchandise to sell. The new building on leased land is 40’x 160’ with an auction room, offices and a large storage area. Truck docks are in place to accom modate easy unloading and load ing access to the building. Elmer Murry has been an auc tioneer for 41 years, longer than almost everyone else in Lancaster County, that is still active. He likes the business and hopes to “stick at it a while longer.” Of course, he has seen a lot of change over the years. When he started in 1953. he sold dry sinks for $1.50. Now they bring up to $1,500. A Dutch cupboard went for $3OO or a Windsor chair for $6O. but now you can get $1,200 or $1,500 for either. Carnival glass sold by the basketful for 25 cents. Gaudy Dutch went for $2O or $3O. Now they bring in the $ 100’s. Elmer said business runs in cycles but not as much as when he started. In the ’so’s you only had sales in the spring and fall. There was no such thing as a summer auction. Then auctioneers began to promote sales, develop logos and advertise. This developed a following. “I hope I have done right by the people,” Elmer said. “I have tried. Everybody ‘flubs’ sometimes, but We Stock Truckloads Of Chore-Time Bins & Miles Of Chore-Time FLEX-AUGER Bins... Large Or Small terns, Inc. Store hours Mon -Fri 7 30t0430 Sot 8 00 to Noon 24 Hr 7 Day Repair Service 1-800-673-2580 ® if you can square things away right away, it doesn’t become serious.” If you are into collecting, Elmer suggests good solid plastics not glued together. “Many of the items today will never last long enough to be called antiques,” Elmer said. We live in a throw-away era. I looked at a cherry table with Queen Anne’s feet and six chairs bought in the early 1930’5. I don’t care what these items bring; they will be worth more than anything you can buy now. No reflection on the furniture industry; they are just meeting the market. But in 1930 you could still get something that will last to become antique. Since then, if you are going to use it, it will not last.” If Elmer were to summarize his view of business, he would say it in three words: “Observe,” “Com pare,” and “Remember.” Observe what you are selling, compare it with something you sold before like it, and remember that when you go on to the next one like it. “And always try to do your best Always!” Elmer said. “You can never reach the top, but you can better your best as you progress.” Custom Applications asllMj m IPBPI The new auction center building is set to open for the first auction on Sept. 24,1994. > v * M: NOW OPEN FEDERALBBURQ, MD. 308 UMVEROTTY AVE. (Formerly Lao* Lumbar) 410-754-8434 STORE HOURS; 7:30 A.M. -4P.M. Monday • Friday Lane—ter Fanning, Saturday, Saptembar 17,1H4-A3l Elmer Murry, left, and son Richard Murry with the cata logue of the first auction to be held In their new 6,400 square foot building to serve as an auction center In Litltz. Elmer started auctioneering In 1953, 41 years ago. AGRI-INC. Custom Built Farm Buildings Designed To Your Needs HEIFER AND CALF RAISING FACILITY „„ “T *1 n { |i4ii4i«ii9ni