Wayne White closing doors on antique business after 25 years

Wayne White & Associates at 3411 North Beltline Road in Sunnyvale is going out of the antique business after 25 years.

“They are moving this building, and I’ve heard they are going to restore it and keep it in Sunnyvale,” said Wayne White, owner of the business. “This old church is over 100 years old, I think. Anyway, I have to move or liquidate everything here. I’ve decided to liquidate.”

Everything must be sold over the next 90 days. Wayne is offering up to 50% off on his extensive collection.

“I’ve traveled all over the world and accumulated the finest antiques available. I’ve got pieces that are valued at $25,000 and I’ve got pieces valued at $50,” he said. He began his antique business with his wife, Debra. Wayne fell in love with his wife the “first time I saw her.”

At the time, Debra was a flight attendant, the couple had just moved to Sunnyvale and Debra wanted to put in a “little antique shop.” There was the birth of an idea, as the couple took over the old church on Belt Line Road. It was truly a family business as Wayne’s children earned extra money by polishing furniture in the store.

It wasn’t too long afterward, however, that Debra decided to be a full-time housewife and caretaker for her three children.

This launched Wayne’s career as a full-time worldwide traveler and antique dealer.

White’s childhood did not warn of his antique future, as he carried the Rev. Billy Graham’s bags to and from his hotel room when Graham would come to town.

White remembers on one occasion, Graham stopped him in the hallway and said, “Wayne don’t idolize me. I’m just a man, like any other.” That statement garnered the respect even more from Wayne in those early days.

Later on, Wayne entered the seminary to study theology. Wayne’s future passion for antiques was not to be outdone by his current passion to study unusual and difficult-to-understand biblical passages.

Wayne explains, “I was going to a Baptist church and started a bus ministry, bringing children to church. I got the bus and I was still wild and crazy, but I went to the Lord with a full heart. The deacons called me and said they no longer wanted to bus these children to their church. I struggled with this, but I kept bringing them. We would buy them clothes, teach them the Bible, and eventually the church fell in love with the kids and the deacons had to let the kids attend.”

White attended seminary for six years. This study of the Bible led to his love for French Antiques he acquired from old churches.

When asked why he loves antiques so much, Wayne said, “I have a deep respect for the craftsmanship and character of the early 1800s to early 1900s pieces.”

At one time earlier in his life, Wayne collected and restored old classic cars like Corvettes and Jaguars.

When asked if it would be tough to leave his antique business, Wayne said, “It will be like losing a family member. It’s not the antique furniture so much as I have feelings about leaving the people I’ve met and the thought of never seeing them again. God always sent someone in here special. I’ll miss those special people.”

Retirement from the antique business will allow Wayne to devote his time to writing. He says, “I will go home and wait to see what the Lord has in store for me. I will do a lot of writing. Theology is where my heart is. I’m gifted with words. My first book is about the most amazing statement in the Bible. Then after that, I have another book in the works, called ‘God Says Run’.

Rev. Graham gave him ‘an unknowing tip’ years ago when he told Wayne one of his secrets to success over the years. Graham said, “Wayne, make it to where even a 3rd grader can understand it.”

Wayne remembered what Graham said, “God called him to preach just the ABCs of the Gospel, that’s why he is so effective. God did all the work, not him.”

So it is that Wayne White’s love for antiques will spawn a love for theological writing.

Seeing Wayne sitting in a 100-year-old French church throne with an ancient manuscript in his hands seems somehow prophetic.

Wayne’s pieces will go fast at the old church at 3411 North Beltline. The sale is by appointment only on Saturdays and Sundays.

Please call (972) 979-4421 today!

- Return to Front Page -