Antiques Roadshow appraiser visits town

Antiques Roadshow star John Sollo visited Thermopolis on Saturday at Broadway Bygones where he appraised antiques brought into the store by local residents.

Sollo said he was invited to do this event by his friend, Barb Heinze.

"We've done all kinds of fun things today," Sollo said. "We've done a little bit of furniture - a little bit of everything to tell you the truth. I haven't found anything yet that people will be able to retire from - no Rembrandts, but I did see a lot of nice stuff and I met a lot of nice people. It's been a good time."

Sollo has worked on Antiques Roadshow for 12 years, but this particular event was just for fun and not sanctioned for the PBS show, he said.

"I like people way more than I like stuff," he said. "That's a rare thing in the antique business. I'm glad to be here and I think Thermopolis is a great little town."

Barb Heinze said she and her husband met Sollo and his wife, Nan, six years ago through their business - Merlin's Hide Out. She said she invited Sollo to Thermopolis for this event to bring the community out.

"I think this brings people out into the community," she said. "I think we have amazing artifacts in the community and it's a chance to have someone look at them that has the knowledge needed."

Heinze said she was excited to bring Sollo to the community.

"He's just a phenomenal guy and we're doggone lucky to have him here," she said.