Treasure Hunters Roadshow stops in Saint Paul

A couple of things about antiques, they all have a story behind them and a value associated with them whether sentimental or monetary.

"It's an early Gibson guitar worth anywhere from $1,800 to $2,500," said Tony Enright of the Treasure Hunters Roadshow. A guitar purchased for about a hundred dollars years ago, can fetch a pretty good price at the "Roadshow" in Saint Paul this week.

"Oh I purchased it about 25 years ago," recalled Pete Falkowski. He said he got a good deal back in the late '70's for his Fender bass guitar. He paid $150 for it through a newspaper ad, he's been playing it ever since and today he parted ways with it. "It's gone now," Falkowski said. It was a decision that took some thinking, but in the end he figured he got his money worth and sold the Fender for $1,700.

"We have collectors on the other end who have millions of dollars, they have nothing else better to do with their money, but spend it on stuff like these collectibles," said Enright. The Treasure Hunters Roadshow works as the middle man. Workers sift through thousands of items each day knowing what collectors on the other end want. Enright said the hottest items these days are anything war related, War World I and World War II two items are especially popular among collectors and the payout is immediate.

"We're pumping hundreds of thousands of dollars each week into these cities and it's really boosting the economy," said Enright. This week the economical boost hits the Twin Cities, as long as you can part with the sentimental value. "It's a good bass though," said Falkowski.

The Treasure Hunters Roadshow runs Tuesday-Friday 9am-6pm and Saturday 9am-4pm at the La Quinta Inn in Saint Paul. Admission is free and along with your collectibles you'll want to pack a little patience, long lines are anticipated and the wait could be hours.