By Peggy DeStefano Long-time advertiser, The Brass Armadillo Antique Mall, has always been an important part of the Mountain States Collector. We know they are an asset to the antique and collector community in Colorado. We are grateful that they are here. They set the standard for all the Malls in our community.
Dave Simonsen, General Manager of the Brass, has taken his responsibilities seriously. He is constantly working on making sure the mix of vendors and the items sold are top quality. Though the store is at capacity—there is a waiting list for vendors—Dave shares some tips about getting into the Mall.
“The best way to get your foot in the door is to rent a case while you are waiting for a booth,” Dave shares. “While you are waiting for an opening our Zoho customer relations management system keeps people in touch and up-to-date. We want them to know that we want them to be part of our Mall.”
Dave points out, “The Mall offers an atmosphere that customers enjoy and it brings them back again and again. Clean, professional and secure. I’m confident The Brass Armadillo will make a difference to their bottom line. It’s simple to apply online, or ask for a physical application when you visit the Mall.”
Maintenance of the Mall is a must. We noticed how light and bright everything was and Dave told us that they have systematically been improving the lighting. Eventually the whole mall will be changed to L.E.D. lighting. “We want the people to really see the inventory and these lights do the trick.” The Mall is clean and bright. Even the bathrooms are an area to be proud of. When asked about the challenges he faces as General Manager, Dave explained that because there are so many new businesses in the Mall that he finds himself coaching his vendors. So many are first-time business owners and they need some direction. As a former teacher he gladly tries to help them so they get the most out of their experience.
The biggest challenge that he encountered in the last seven years of managing the Mall happened when Covid hit. “During that time we forgave rent and paid all employees in spite of the hit we took due to Covid. We provided masks for our customers and were criticized by some people for doing that. We didn’t care. Sometimes, you just have to do the right thing.”
Dave is most proud of his customer service. “Many of our vendors contribute time to taking care of customers and it gives them a way to earn part of their rent. We have a fund for our employees. Even part-time people can benefit from paid time off from the fund.” Dave’s love of antiques began with his grandmother. She spent time explaining to him what things were and how they were used and why they were special. And then his grandfather introduced him to coin collecting. He was so grateful to both of his grandparents for sharing their appreciation for things old.
Then his other experiences over the years contributed to his being good at this job. He became proficient at grant writing and it gave him a sense of what needed to be done to become successful at business.
One of the fun programs the Brass has developed is called the Antique Army. “The more you spend the more you have in credits. There are different levels of belonging. It is divided by ranks — Captain, Major or General.”
The Brass Armadillo has 13,000 square feet of space and is truly a great way to shop. The variety of the inventory is impressive. Why not stop by the Mall. It is located at 11301 W. I-70 Frontage Road in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. It is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Thanks, Dave, for sharing The Brass Armadillo with us.
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