Today we’d like to introduce you to Ron Burandt.
Hi Ron, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey started 33 years ago at the age of 12. A retired family friend had asked if I wanted to go to an estate auction in a small town of Gaylord MN to help him carry out his purchases to his truck. I didn’t know what an “auction” was but it sounded interesting. We pulled up about 2 blocks away from where all the flurry of people where huddled around old hay racks filled to the brim with items old and new all the way up and down the block. We elbowed our way to the front of the hay wagon where the auctioneers were selling off items and then it hit me. It was an out of body experience, like a “calling”. That my friends, was when I was bit by the “auction bug”. I not only was hooked, I was addicted, and couldn’t get enough of this experience. We went to auctions almost every day in the summer and on weekends. I kept reading books and identification guides to identify antiques out in the wild. I didn’t even have a drivers license; however, a couple auction companies in the area where I lived gave me a “permanent bidding number” so when I would go to auctions I would be able to bid. I saved my lawn mowing money, baby sitting money and anything other resources to then use to go to auctions. I remember going to farm auctions and the “regulars” who were antique buyers at every auction gave me the name “the kid”….they would say, oh here comes the kid…and then when I would my bidding number up they would say, “Oh just let the kid” get it…..as I scored red wing crocks for $1.00!! Fast forward until I had my own drivers license at age 16 I could not only have my own way to get to auctions I had the golden ticket of a drivers license so I could go to auctions wide and far. Also, at age 16 I leased my very first space to resell all the items I had been accumulating over the prior 4 years. Throughout the years since then I have leased space in malls, participated in specialized shows/markets throughout the Midwest, participated in online sales/auctions, and even bought my neighbors house where I had my own antique store open on the weekends. I had continued to do this for about 30 years until my spouse passed away unexpectedly. After about a year of not being active in the antique business I made the decision to start downsizing as I had buildings, houses, a 1909 ballroom, and a creamery packed full of merchandise that I had collected through the years. I started to have auction to downsize and all of a sudden life threw me an opportunity. I missed the antique business. I missed the adrenaline of going to a 100 year old farm and opening the barn doors. I missed the friends and energy that went with the business. I then went online looking for an opportunity to open a store. It had to be the right location. The building had to have character and size. It had to be perfect. Withing in seconds I went online and found a property that checked all those boxes. It was on the market 2 days. I called the real estate agent and met with him right away. Not only were the 3 buildings for sale the family that selling them also had 3 more building that were all attached to the 3 that I saw online. Yes, a total of 6 buildings with over 20,000 square feet, was now within my reach. The selling family had owned the property going back to 1913 when they started a furniture store and funeral home business. The buildings date back to 1902 with beautiful tin ceilings, open staircase mezzanine, cast iron columns and so much more. The lives of the buildings had been a shoe store and even a nickel and dime store. I spent several hours on a frigid January morning going through all the buildings, basements, 2nd and 3rd floors, and 5 apartments. I just had to walk into the last building from 1902 which was the original building the family started in to realize this is it. This is going to be the most exciting, creative, and beautiful space for my vision. I contacted an amazing friend, Rita Weber, who was looking for her next journey and I ran the vision by her as she would be the one spearheading the management and day to day activities of the property and store. The only question she had was…Can I bring my dog Cooper? I immediately proclaimed yes and cried. I then purchased the entire property of 6 buildings and 5 apartments the end of February 2024. Rita and Cooper traveled up in March to start the journey with me. The buildings had been emptied for about a year and a half. In addition to that there needed many, many, many updates and work to the property. Rita and I, along with many family and friends started shaping the vision. When they say blood, sweat, and tears went into the project this one had all of that and a broken foot. Finally, the dream was coming true. We had 25 vendors instantly want to join us in the building to sell their items and we opened our doors the very first time Memorial day Weekend 2024. The community of Oliva was and is incredible. The city government, chamber of commerce, and local businesses were all welcoming us into the community with open arms. The traffic and business has been absolutely breathtaking and we can’t thank everyone who helped along in this journey including the town, along with our GREAT customers. A very special thank you to Rita Weber and our shop dog Cooper for believing in the vision and bringing the magic to Patina Pickers everyday!! The joy in the faces of people who walk through the doors the very first time is stunning. They compliment on how clean, doesn’t smell like an antique store, very well laid out, and large wide open walk ways throughout the store. Since originally opening in May of 2024 we have opened the last of the 6 buildings along with 15 more vendors for a total of 40 vendors and a list of over 30 more who want to join! We invite you to make Patina Pickers one of your favorite destinations! Come join us 7 days a week, 10-5 Mon-Sat, 12-5 Sunday. Patina Pickers 821 E Lincoln Ave, Olivia, MN. 56277
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We have had our twist and turns in the journey of Patina Pickers. The largest hurdle was cleaning, moving, working through much needed improvements to 6 buildings dating back to 1902 that had been empty for about a year and a half with minimum improvements done prior to that in many years. The very first day Rita Weber traveled from Arizona up to Olivia Minnesota she broke her foot that night, so that started the tempo of the journey. In the end, together, along with many family, friends, and contractors our vision was completed to open Memorial day 2024!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a manager in the residential real estate mortgage banking industry. I have been in this industry for 23 years. I started my career in a small rural community bank environment for 12 years and then moved into a national wide large company for the past 11 years. Being in the the residential real estate business it brought a new opportunity to me that worked extremely well with the antique business. When estates reached out to me to buy the contents of the estate I would meet them, look around and make an offer. Also, while I was looking at the contents I was also looking at the real estate. If the house had good bones I also inquired what the estate planned on doing with the real estate. In many instances I also purchased the real estate, made improvements and either sold or rented them out. I felt that combination is something I am most proud of myself through the years and not only having the love for the antiques to be treasured but also loving doing home repairs to save the real estate for others to cherish years down the road.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I absolutely love our city!! The small town rural american city where everyone pitches in together and all wants to see each other succeed is how I define Olivia MN! Everyone from the local city government offices, mayor, city administrator, Chamber of commerce, police, banks, and businesses encourage each other. We lift each other up to become the best we can be, together, as one united community. I really don’t have anything that I like lease about Olivia-if I had to note something would be that I love eating all varieties of food. With a smaller, rural town, there can be a limitation of restaurant/food offerings to fill my stomach-LOL.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliviapatinapickers?igsh=MWthM2kyazc1amNmcQ==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CRhCE8Kx6/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Yelp: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patina.pickers?_t=ZT-8w56tg7nCEl&_r=1
