After nearly 30 years in business, Broadway Antique Market in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood is up for sale, as co-owners Duane Cerny and Jeff Nelson prepare to retire. The antique store, located at 6130 N. Broadway, has long been a local fixture, known for its diverse selection of vintage furniture, art, clothing, and accessories, attracting collectors, tourists, set designers, students, and families from across the city.
Cerny, 67, and Nelson, 65, purchased the property in 1998 after eight years running a similar business in Wrigleyville. Since then, the store has expanded to feature more than 50 independent dealers operating within its 21,000-square-foot, two-story art deco building, originally constructed in 1939. Over the years, the shop has cultivated a broad and loyal customer base, with many visitors returning across generations.
Despite the store’s success, the rising costs of property taxes played a significant role in the decision to put the business and building on the market for $2.5 million. Property tax assessments jumped sharply following the county’s triennial reassessment, increasing from around $75,000 in 2023 to over $100,000 in 2024. The owners pursued an appeal to challenge the assessment but were unsuccessful.
“It's just not sustainable,” Cerny said, noting that while they hoped to find someone who could continue the business and cover the costs, the financial burden proved too great for them to maintain ownership. The owners are primarily seeking a buyer for both the business and property, but the listing indicates redevelopment potential for the building, should that not occur.
The building’s distinctive art deco architecture has been recognized by city officials, who note its “potentially significant architectural or historical features.” The area surrounding the store has seen a surge in development and property values, which increased by 36% since 2020. The city recently rezoned the corridor to allow for taller, denser buildings. Any demolition of the Broadway Antique Market would be subject to a 90-day delay as officials explore preservation options.
Neighborhood representatives, including 48th Ward Alderman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, have expressed a desire for the building’s architectural and historical value to be preserved. “We would like to see a buyer that values the building’s history and beauty as much as our community does,” she said.
Longtime dealers, such as Jeff Cohen, who specializes in vintage watches and jewelry, regard the closing as the end of an era. Cohen has been with the market since its move to Edgewater and plans to enter semi-retirement once the store closes.
Set designers working on Chicago-based film and television productions have frequently sourced items from the market’s inventory, including projects like the “Chucky” series and the film “Road to Perdition.”
Cerny and Nelson plan to keep Broadway Antique Market open through the winter holidays, continuing to add new items to their extensive collection. They expressed gratitude toward the Chicago community for supporting the store through its nearly three decades of operation.