Collectible Kentucky Derby drinking glasses are among the items available in the first of a dozen auctions of Arlington Park items. (John Starks | Staff Photographer)
Many of the visitors to the catacombs of Arlington Park’s shuttered grandstand Monday afternoon weren’t particularly interested in bidding on the gallons of Caesar salad dressing or red pepper flakes.
A few, though, were eying the stacks of china plates with the racetrack’s crest, upon which brunches were once served in the Arlington Million Room just a few floors above.
Horseplayers, former employees and fans of the Arlington Heights racing palace came to the lower-level kitchen for any glimpse of nostalgia, at what was the first in-person preview ahead of a dozen online auctions of the park’s assets through October.
As the first auction of more than 600 items, which started last week, is primarily commercial kitchen and food service equipment, many of those looking for a memento said they plan to come back when the other parts of the grandstand are opened for viewing of memorabilia, artwork and bronze that they can bid on.
“We’ll see what they offer up in the future and if there’s anything that piques my interest,” said Larry Moy of Arlington Heights. “I imagine we’re not the only ones, so I think some of the more recognizable items will probably get bidded up pretty high.”
The 647 lots available in the first auction range from a double stack portable conventional oven starting at $2,400 to a metal shelf/rack with a starting price of a dime.
Read more here.
Leave a Reply