They haven’t had one for four years…

A sign that says it all.

The character of a town is made up of many elements. A local business in Cuba, Missouri and its owners make their mark on the retail scene, and a special event is in the works.

They use to have one every year, but Darlene Mullen of ABC Investments says that they haven’t had one for four years. When you hear the name of Bob and Darlene Mullen’s business, you might think they deal in stocks and bonds. However, as the sign on their window says, “They Sell Stuff”–and they buy it. The one that Darlene mentions refers to a big outside sale that you might call a one-business flea market. Most of the items in the sale are from estate sales that they buy in the course of their furniture/resale business or maybe from some of Bob Mullen’s trades.

With Darlene’s current reign as the Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year, and her and husband Bob’s community works, she stays busy. She organizes the decor for the Chamber’s Annual Banquet and the annual September Lion’s Club Car & Motorcycle Show. She also has to try to keep up with Bob’s buying and selling. It’s no wonder that annual sale hasn’t been held for four years.

And if you know Bob, you can imagine there is a lot of buying and trading going on. Bob is a trader. If you want to buy or sell, Bob will try to make a deal.  How do you think Bob and Darlene got the largest private collection of neon signs, car memorabilia, and other thousands of items in the Midwest? Their collection finally got so big that it filled three buildings and got its own name–Bob’s Gasoline Alley.  

But Bob’s not selling items from his personal collection.  Darlene and Bob are emptying the storage buildings for the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (August 18-20) sale of extra items that they have accumulated from their business. Tables are filling up.  It’s a treasure trove of surplus. The sale is at their business ABC Investment on Highway 19/408 S. Franklin. Darlene says it’s priced “to get rid of.” No early sales. The sale starts at 8:30 am. Here’s a preview of some of what’s going on the tables.

Darlene says this trailer is for the guys.

There is a little of everything here.

After all these years, tupperware is still a popular item.

Need a classic car? No problem.

Rows of mystery goods await the bargain shopper.

Need a mug?

Several truckloads were rolling in to be unloaded for the sale.

Scenes from last year’s Lions Club Car & Motorcycle Show are here. The 2011 Car & Motorcycle Show is September 24.

Come to the show, see the murals, and visit our shops and other attractions for a good time. Bring your camera.