Wertz Brothers Antique Mart to close in Santa Monica

Wertz Brothers Antique Mart, the largest antique mall on L.A.'s westside, said it is closing next month to make way for new development.

The 20,000-square-foot-store has been a go-to place for unique items that can furnish a home or a Hollywood set. Celebrities like Diane Keaton and David Arquette shop there and props like metal beds have been featured on the TV show American Horror Story.

“It feels kind of bittersweet,” said Manager Robin Messick. “I love these large old spaces, but I do understand change and progress and all that.”

Messick said the store is closing because the owner, Wertz Brothers Furniture Inc. sold the property to make way for new development. Wertz Brothers’ corporate office referred all media calls to Messick, who said she could not speak specifically as to why the company sold the property. She pointed to media reports that have said retail and apartments are moving into the space.

The Wertz Brothers Antique Mart has been open on Lincoln Boulevard for more than 11 years and has 150 dealers that sell items from postcards to chandeliers. Messick said she will close the store on Feb. 1 and her staff of about ten employees will lose their jobs. Wertz Brothers will continue to operate another location on Santa Monica Boulevard.

Messick said she and her assistant manager plan to open their own antique store on the westside by the summer. The Wertz family has offered to mentor her, she said.

“This is a bustling business,” Messick said. “We have a lot of clientele that want to continue shopping. We have dealers that want to continue to rent space and a staff that needs jobs.”