Allentown in the age of coronavirus (Spring 2020)

[CollectorScum]

So who's going? Word is people have already shown up to the motel, but the Europeans are out given the travel ban, and since the UK just got added to the list, that leaves out another whole set of buyers. As of right now the actual show is still on for Saturday, but I feel like a lot can change in the next few days. I'm tempted to go to the motel Thursday looking for deals, but of course that depends on how things progress in the next 72+ hours. We live in strange times...

 

[tymespan]

Several counties around Lehigh County (Chester, Bucks & Montgomery) have already closed down any non-essential stores and events. By the end of the week I'm sure there will be more.
An indoor flea market at the Allentown Fairgrounds was also cancelled this weekend.

 

[MopTopMike]

I was planning to go; haven't attended one for 3 years, but with my compromised immune system (something I have had to deal with for half of my life) no way do I wanna be around a bunch of guys with poor hygiene, all crowding, shoving and bumping into one another all day long while pawing thru record boxes. Many already deal with their own health issues, at least the guys I know personally.
I would bet the show will eventually be canceled the way things are going. If not, I think there will be hardly anyone there on Saturday. Travel may be restricted to "in-state only transit" by then.
I've read on-line web posts by some who wonder about the U.S. postal service - I can say the mail will not cease or halt during this crisis. I am working all the time, as a currently healthy individual, while co-workers who feel unwell stay home. I am glad that I work inside at a processing facility and not as a carrier or window clerk, though. Those folks are on the front line.

 

[Heitkotter77]

The show has been cancelled.

 

[Heitkotter77]

Bob got word around this evening, and one of the regulars posted up on Facebook. He mentioned there are still sellers at the main hotel, and was encouraging people to stop by.
It's hard to say how long any of us will stay, though. A couple are saying they'll stay through Friday, but others of us are saying probably not and playing it by ear

 

[tymespan]

The owners of Merchant Square Mall want to turn it into warehouse space and all the current retail tenants have to leave once their leases are up.
Their event calendar shows no upcoming events & they usually have something there every weekend in the showroom.

The record show still shows a March 2021 date. Has anybody heard anything?

 

[Heitkotter77]

Haven't heard anything since Bob canceled the October show. But I believe he did say he was intending to have the show in March, wherever it could be held.

 

[MopTopMike]

Some of us had tried unsuccessfully years ago to coax Bob into relocating the show elsewhere, as the Merchant Square Mall is an aging, dumpy place, but with a large parking area.
A few hotels on the Allentown outskirts would be large enough for the show, but some of the long-time sellers insist on staying in the cheaper hotel near Merchant's Square.

A show held in early June would be a perfect time weather wise.
But I don't think Allentown, or any other larger record show will be held until later in 2021, if at all. Larger shows need to have overseas buyers, and international travel is still not anywhere near routine.

 

[Dave Baldwin]

All the more reason to promote a thriving vinyl/styrene marketplace here...

 

[Heitkotter77]

I think at this point, the main reason for staying at the Red Roof (as it's called in its latest incarnation) is because of its proximity to the mall.
If the show moves, maybe the pre-show moves. It's too bad the Hojo's keeps getting worse.

The first time I came down for several days, I booked myself at the Day's Inn by the airport (because no one could remember the name of the hotel for the show, and just said it used to be Days). It was very nice and not much more than Red Roof or Hojo's. I don't know what they have in the way of a conference or convention room or if they'd allow the room sales.
They had a good continental breakfast that came with the room and a good restaurant. Had a nice hanger steak one night.

But i think the big question is when would we have confidence going to a show knowing the general hygiene habits of many collectors?

 

[Dave Baldwin]

I think at this point, the main reason for staying at the Red Roof (as it's called in its latest incarnation) is because of its proximity to the mall.
If the show moves, maybe the pre-show moves. It's too bad the Hojo's keeps getting worse.

The first time I came down for several days, I booked myself at the Day's Inn by the airport (because no one could remember the name of the hotel for the show, and just said it used to be Days). It was very nice and not much more than Red Roof or Hojo's. I don't know what they have in the way of a conference or convention room or if they'd allow the room sales.
They had a good continental breakfast that came with the room and a good restaurant. Had a nice hanger steak one night.

But i think the big question is when would we have confidence going to a show knowing the general hygiene habits of many collectors?

My overriding fears would the usual ones experienced at Allentown: Exorbitant record prices and crap grading. Flu is way down the list.

 

[Heitkotter77]

My overriding fears would the usual ones experienced at Allentown: Exorbitant record prices and crap grading. Flu is way down the list.

I take exorbitant prices and crap grading for granted, so no fears on those accounts.
Then again, I take germs and other infestations at record shows somewhat for granted as well.

I do take precautions for all.

 

[Heitkotter77]

Anybody check out the show today or the hotel scene during the week?