Current Issue Articles

Solvang Antique Center Celebrates 35th Anniversary With New Owners

  Arlene and Dwight Steffensen, the new owners of the Solvang Antique Center (shown above), have ambitious plans to build on the legacy of this much loved business, while continuing to provide the high level of product quality and customer service that has delighted customers from all over the world. Their corporate identity, LEADS, is an acronym for their family initials—their children, Lisa and Eric, and their own names, Arlene and  Dwight Steffensen. Their mission is to grow the business through leadership techniques Dwight successfully applied during his rise to the top of three highly successful distribution companies.

 The Steffensen’s core business strategy is to be leaders in their industry, not followers.Born in Fresno, California and sweethearts from the age of 15, Dwight and Arlene recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. They have two children and four grandchildren and currently share their time between Solvang, Cambria and Carmel.  Dwight is Danish on his father’s side and is looking forward to being a part of the “Danish Capital of America.”
  Dwight and Arlene have collected antiques for years, and had bought some antique lighting at Solvang Antique Center. Meanwhile, Arlene wanted Dwight to find more to do after his retirement from the corporate world, but they could never find anything that “quite fit.” Then Dwight received a mailer about the Palladino’s retirement sale of the Solvang Antique Center and something went “bingo!” He said to Arlene, “Honey, how would you like to buy an antique store?”
  “So here we are!” she said with her brilliant smile and a mischievous look in her eye. “I think this will keep us both busy.” They welcome both regular and new customers to call on them for any and all of  their antique needs, including the restoration of clocks, music boxes and furniture.
  The entire sales and support staff will be remaining on, everyone is very excited about the expansion of the Antique Center.  Ron and Julie Palladino will also be continuing on as part of the team, focusing on the acquisition, restoration and sales of the high quality antiques  their customers have come to expect.
  Dwight points out, “The current customer base is: Solvang tourists and regulars who buy every type of antique imaginable and specific collectors who mainly want clocks and music boxes.” He continues, “We plan to expand our very active website. I’m an optimist. We’re going to get out of this bad economy and everything is going to get better.”
  April 10th and 11th will be the first of many special events that the Steffensens plan to host at the Center. There will be a wealth of informative and entertaining antique programs taking place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, plus a champagne and hors d’oeuvres reception Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  There will be free “Antique Roadshow” style verbal appraisals in the categories of antique clocks, watches, music boxes, toys and decorative accessories made prior to 1920. A host of specialty antique dealers representing over 500 years of combined experience will be present throughout the weekend to demonstrate and share their knowledge of the antiques on display and to answer questions about your special interests as antique collectors. 
  Additionally, the prestigious firm of World Gemological Services will be on hand, offering a 25% discount on GIA certified written appraisals of estate jewelry, gemstones, gold and silver. Whether for insurance valuations and updates, estate planning and resolution or buying and selling jewelry, a professional appraisal is a wise investment to protect your jewelry. Please phone 805-686-2322 to reserve an appointment for jewelry appraisals.