BUSINESS BATTLE American Pickers star Mike Wolfe’s Iowa antique store filled with customers while Frank Fritz’s shop is a ‘ghost town’

AMERICAN Pickers star Mike Wolfe’s Iowa antique store is filled with customers, while Frank Fritz’s Illinois shop is a ghost town, The U.S. Sun has exclusively learned.

Mike, 59, owns two locations of Antique Archaeology in Le Claire, Iowa, and Nashville, Tennessee, while Frank, 59, runs Frank Fritz Finds in Savanna, Illinois.

Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz both own antique stores

Customers filled Mike’s Iowa store

Frank’s shop appeared to be a ‘ghost town’ with no customers

The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal how Mike’s Iowa antique store is constantly flooded with customers, though the same can’t be said for Frank’s shop.

A customer told The U.S. Sun: “Mike always has customers coming in and out of his store.

“It’s a lot of fans who check out the picks seen on the show and buy merchandise.”

In photos obtained by The U.S. Sun, customers could be seen checking out antiques and waiting in line to purchase their items.

As for Frank’s store, which is located in two back rooms of a bar restaurant, photos show not one customer.

The insider said: “Customers browse Frank’s store once in a while. It’s not nearly as busy as Mike’s.”

ANNUAL SALES

The U.S. Sun previously reported on the annual sales of both locations.

Antique Archaeology Iowa’s estimated annual sales are reportedly $62,000, per Experian’s Business Valuation Report.

The company’s Business Credit Score is 23, which is “medium-high risk.”

The report claims of the score: “This score predicts the likelihood of serious credit delinquencies within the next 12 months.”

As for the Financial Stability Risk Ratings, Antique Archaeology received a medium risk of three out of five rating.

The report claims: “This rating predicts the likelihood of payment default and/or bankruptcy within the next 12 months.”

Per Experian’s Business Valuation Report for Frank Fritz Finds’, estimated annual sales are reportedly $25,000.

The company’s Business Credit Score 27 and is “medium risk.”

As for the Financial Stability Risk Ratings, the shop received a “medium-high” risk of four out of five rating.

The report claims this means there is a “10 percent potential risk of severe financial distress within the next 12 months.”

PICKING FRANK?

The U.S. Sun previously reported on the items in Frank’s store.

In exclusive photos obtained by The U.S. Sun, certain merchandise in Frank’s store appeared to be broken and covered in cobwebs.

In one photo, a vintage mannequin could be seen covered in cobwebs.

In another, more cobwebs were seen along a windowsill, as even a spider was spotted in the photo.

Another pick featured drumsticks signed by the Mickey Utley Band. The glass case holding the merchandise was shattered.

There was also a near-empty display case holding vintage soda cans, including a modern-day Coca-Cola can, likely left by a customer.

Throughout the store, most of the merchandise was covered in dust.

There were even random pieces of metal and wood with no antique description or price tag.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS

Frank’s store has struggled in recent years, especially since the American Pickers fan-favorite suffered a stroke in July 2022.

Customers of the store have posted reviews expressing their dissatisfaction with the antique shop.

One customer said: “Nice people but in all honesty it was almost like seeing things that were left in an attic. It would not be my first choice to check out around the area.”

A second wrote: “The antique store that time forgot! Enter through the bar, past the kitchen. A couple decades ago this was the best antique store for miles, with many many vendors on multiple floors. It is housed in a local landmark, which was a big draw in itself.

“It is now a shadow of its former self, though they do appear to be repairing and working on it. There are 2 rooms of random old things, some nice and a lot not.”

A third commented: “I was a huge fan of the show. I stopped in to give Frank support and see what all the buzz was about. The place looked like an episode of Hoarders.”

A fourth complained: “The store is truly full of hoarders junk. I was looking forward to visiting Frank’s Finds but, left disappointed… This store is full of overpriced junk and old oil cans signed by Frank for $55 – $110 ea. I will pass.”

Another wrote: “Don’t waste your time… old stuff that should have been tossed a long time ago that is way overpriced. The place is dumpy and not worth the drive… was hoping Frank will open something better that’s worth going to…”

FRANK’S CONSERVATORSHIP

Frank hasn’t been as involved in the business since suffering a stroke in July 2021.

His close friends filed an emergency appointment of a temporary guardian and conservator for the star on August 18, claiming his “decision­-making capacity is so impaired.”

The conservatorship papers exclusively obtained by The U.S. Sun revealed plans to revamp the store.

The Initial Plan filed by conservator MidWestOne Bank read: “Mr. Fritz is a well-known collector and has numerous outbuildings full of valuable collections.

“The conservator has not yet inventoried those items but plans to leave them largely as they are now, with the exception of stocking Mr. Fritz’s antique store in Savanna, IL as needed.

“Conservator is hopeful [Frank] will be able to participate in selection and pricing of items as he did previously.”

A source previously told The U.S. Sun Frank is walking again after the stroke left the right side of his body paralyzed.

SHOW DRAMA

Frank last appeared on American Pickers during a March 2020 episode, as he took time off to recover from back surgery that left him with 185 stitches and two rods in his spine.

Mike announced Frank was no longer with the show in 2021.

Frank revealed his feud with co-star Mike during a 2021 interview with The U.S. Sun.

The two reunited over Memorial Day Weekend and are friends today.

A source claimed to The U.S. Sun: “Everything between them is fine. They’ve known each other for 40 years. They went to high school, they’ve done all this stuff together.”

The insider said Mike has visited Frank a handful of times since he suffered the stroke, as the two call and text today as well.

Customers check out the antiques and buy merchandise in Mike’s store

Some antiques in Frank’s store are covered in cobwebs

Frank last appeared on the show in 2020 and is currently recovering from a stroke