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Raising hopes
The Mahoning County Board of Elections hoped to save a few bucks by purchasing furniture at the Playhouse auction.
By Elise Franco
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
Youngstown Playhouse Auction
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Commercial kitchen items were auctioned at the Youngstown Playhouse June, 2, 2009.
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Ken Bassinger starts to auction off sets of dinnerware at the Youngstown Playhouse.
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Bill Stiles of Youngstown - or #51- puts in a winning bid at the Youngstown Playhouse as items deemed no longer needed were sold to the highest bidder Tuesday morning at the Playhouse on Glenwood Avenue.
FUNDRAISING TOOK CENTER STAGE AT the Youngstown Playhouse auction Tuesday, and Joyce Kale-Pesta played the role of bargain hunter.
The Mahoning County Board of Elections deputy director said she intended to purchase a few sets of Youngstown-made Gasser chairs for $1 each, but the chairs ended up going to the highest bidders for much more.
“I thought the chairs would be a good bargain for the city,” she said, noting she didn’t think $20 per chair was much of a deal.
Instead, Kale-Pesta said she won bids on two folding tables for $5 each.
“They’re nice, sturdy tables,” she said. “We can put heavy stuff on top of them.”
Auctioneer Jeff Byce, of ByceAuction in Youngstown, said 94 people registered to bid during the auction, which showcased thousands of dollars worth of assets Playhouse officials said were not essential to the operation.
“This is a positive thing for our community,” he said. “The Playhouse is in full force and moving forward.”
Byce said most of the items were part of the Playhouse’s commercial kitchen. Food-service equipment, banquet chairs and tables and office furniture were a major part of the sale.
“We are liquidating these assets to continue to deliver plays,” Byce said. “The kitchen was installed as full-service, but it was never really utilized.”
Many restaurant, catering and rental business owners showed up looking to save some money on equipment.
Dennis Ahlswede, of Poland, owns a tent rental business and stopped by the auction looking for seating. At $11 each, he was the highest bidder on 27 wooden folding chairs.
“These items are few and far between,” he said. “When they come around, I try to get them.”
Kale-Pesta said she was surprised by the items up for auction.
“It really drew in a lot of people,” she said. “I didn’t realize they had so much restaurant stuff.”
One of the biggest money-making items of the day was a commercial dish-washing system that Byce said sold for about $1,800.
He said the Playhouse still has two more chances to make money at auction. A Kohler generator was on display Tuesday, and Byce said those interested can place a sealed bid until June 12 at noon. A sealed bid package can be obtained at www.byceauction.com.
“They paid $17,000 for the generator in 2003,” he said. “It only has three hours of use on it.”
Byce said Playhouse officials have also agreed to auction military costumes and props that are no longer usable.
“We have about 150 uniforms and collectable props,” he said. “So much of it are things they really don’t need.”
The costume auction will be in July at the ByceAuction Gallery, 755 Wick Ave.
Byce said he expected Tuesday’s auction to rake in $10,000 in sales. Unofficially, he said the total revenue was about $12,000.
“It was a really big success,” he said. “The playhouse [officials] said they were very satisfied with how the auction was conducted.”
The Youngstown Playhouse has been on hiatus since October as it works to pay off back taxes and reopen. Its Glenwood Avenue building is in need of roof and plumbing work, and proceeds from the sales will go into the Playhouse’s general fund, officials have said.
efranco@vindy.com