NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Union Bay, British Columbia, Canada, 05/14/2009 - Blinking Star Antiques, in the beautiful Comox Valley, is celebrating its Grand Opening on May 27, 2009. From 2-4 pm, Canadian Antiques Roadshow Expert Tony Duke will conduct appraisals with proceeds going to the Union Bay Historical Society.

Comox Valley antiques appraiser Tony Duke, seen on the Canadian Antiques Roadshow, will be conducting appraisals of small antique items at the Grand Opening of Blinking Star Antiques on May 27 from 2-4 pm. Blinking Star Antiques is newly opened on the 2nd floor of the Historic Union Bay Post Office. Proceeds from the appraisals will be donated to the Union Bay Historical Society.

The Union Bay Historical Society was responsible for saving and renovating the Union Bay Post Office and Gaol. The Post Office main floor still houses a functioning Canada Post outlet, and the restored Gaol House is now a Heritage Museum and gift shop. The Union Bay Post Office is a perfect venue for an antique shop. “The Heritage Society in Union Bay has done an immense public service in saving and renovating this building”, says Elizabeth Campbell Duke, owner of Blinking Star Antiques. “There is no better place to run an antiques shop than in this building. Antiques not only fit into this Historic building wonderfully, but the view over the Georgia Strait is fantastic. Union Bay has a lot to be proud of. We’re excited to be part of this community.”

Tony Duke, too, is a history buff. After growing up in the antiques business in England, Mr. Duke completed a Master’s degree in History at the University of Saskatchewan, writing his thesis on Highway Robbery in 18th Century England. He’s always been fascinated by the human stories that antiques and historical research illustrate. He also has an uncanny feel for the pieces he sees and appraises. You can see him light up when looking at and describing an antique, and he does an excellent job of explaining what he sees in each piece, and how he knows what he’s looking at. It's his extensive knowledge of antiques and history that makes him an informative and entertaining appraiser.

Appraisals at Blinking Star’s Grand Opening will cost $10 per item. There are only 20 spots available so please book ahead by calling Elizabeth at the Blinking Star Antiques office. The Grand Opening will run from Noon - 5 pm on Wednesday May 27. Refreshments will be served.

Agency / Source: VanIsleAntiques.com

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