Ruby Street Antiques to close

Ruby Street Antiques isn’t one of the oldest businesses in Spokane, but it’s one of the most recognizable and beloved.

And now, it’s closing its doors.

Ruby Street Antiques has been causing drivers to rubberneck at the corner of Mission Avenue and Ruby Street for years, but as I drove by today I rubbernecked for another reason: going-out-of-business signs were plastered everywhere.

I popped in and spoke briefly with store owner Mike Ferguson, who said an increase in his lease is to blame. I’m hoping to get more details from Mike over the phone—like whether he plans to sell his goods online or elsewhere—but this video clip from Krem2 makes it sound like it’ll all be over in 90 days.

Inside the shop, Ruby Street Antiques carries thousands of items you might expect to find in an antique store, but it’s best known for the giant statues that stand guard outside. Among the unusual items for sale now is a bulldog that’s about as big as most people’s kitchens (perfectly situated in the Gonzaga District, eh?).

Most of the statues you see from the road are new but have been treated to look old. Despite that, Ferguson told the Spokesman-Review a while back that the majority of the customers who buy those items powder coat them so they look new again.

So who are the people who buy the giant lions, galloping horses and enormous gate entries? That’s one question I have for Ferguson. And how in the world is he going to sell that bulldog in 90 days?  Based on her reaction to seeing it today, my 16-month-old daughter would be thrilled to have it in her backyard. But I’ve got my eyes on the Buddha above instead.

To learn more about Ruby Street Antiques, check out this Spokesman-Review video by photojournalist Colin Mulvany or visit the store at 104 E. Mission Ave. and help Ferguson clear out his inventory.

UPDATE! I heard back from Ferguson. He doesn’t plan to sell online, but he will continue to operate out of his warehouse at 11610 W. White Road, which is visible from Interstate 90 between the Medical Lake and Four Lakes exits.

He won’t, however, be moving any merchandise from the Ruby Street location to the warehouse, so he’s “liquidating all of that to the bare walls, pretty much at cost.”