New owners for Old Way

The former Old Way Furniture building on Route 150 was sold to David and Rebecca Aeschliman on Friday, Oct. 3. 

They are the owners of Walnut Creek Auction Company, Moline, and they will use the building as the headquarters for their business. David Aeschliman said he plans to launch several companies, introducing some of them at the Illinois Auctioneer Association’s annual meeting next month.

Walnut Creek has held about 100 auctions in the last two years, he said. 

The Aeschlimans are creating a division of Walnut Creek called Auctioneer Support Services, Inc., which will offer marketing services such as logo development, marketing plans, stationery and advertising. 

Auctioneer Support Services also will help provide auctioneers, ringmen, clerks and cashiers, as well as supply bid numbers, clerk sheets and microphones.

The back third of the former Old Way building will hold Auctioneer Support Services, while the area once used for making furniture will become an auction house.

“We’ll be hosting auto, antique, household, real estate and specialty collection auctions,” David Aeschliman said. “As we get caught up with owning the new building, we’ll slowly be launching other divisions offering other services. We intend to have a diversified auction industry position, so we don’t rely on any one income source.”

A native of northeast Kansas who now lives with his wife on a farm east of Sherrard, he said, “Orion reminds me of the small towns I grew up near. It’s filled with progressive, sophisticated, smart and friendly people who prefer the small-town work ethic and friendliness. We’re looking forward to becoming an active part of this community.”