American Pickers star Frank Fritz’s antique shop is ‘going down hill’ as fans say store is ‘disorganized’ after firing
AMERICAN Pickers star Frank Fritz’s antique shop is “going downhill” as fans complained that the store is “disorganized” after his firing. Frank, 58, was fired from American Pickers in July after he took time off the series to recover from back surgery. He currently owns antique shop Frank Fritz Finds located in Illinois. The Sun […]
AMERICAN Pickers star Frank Fritz’s antique shop is “going downhill” as fans complained that the store is “disorganized” after his firing.
Frank, 58, was fired from American Pickers in July after he took time off the series to recover from back surgery.
He currently owns antique shop Frank Fritz Finds located in Illinois.
The Sun can exclusively reveal customer reviews that claim the store is going “down hill,” as visitors have complained about the smell, items and more in recent online reviews.
One review on Yelp read: “Stopped by because watch the show a lot… Antique part seems [to be] going downhill.
A Trip Advisor review read: “Not much here worth the price being asked.”
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A Google review read: “If I were Frank I would be ashamed to have my name put on this place. What a joke. We traveled over 2 hours to come here. Don’t waste your time!!!”
A second from Google read: “The antique store was disappointing. Disorganized with poor lighting with very little items of interest.”
But Frank did have some customers who were pleased with the shop, as one wrote on Google: “Awesome place Frank Fritz is the man.”
A second praised: “The place was great, I found an old bomber jacket I was searching for on the internet and I got a great deal of the price. Also gold beer and great burgers.”
A third complimented: “A nice store with a good selection of oddball stuff.”
Frank did not respond to The Sun’s request for comment.
DEBT TROUBLE
The mixed reviews come as Frank is struggling to pay property taxes after his firing.
Frank missed the September 1, 2021 and March 1, 2022 tax payments on his Iowa home, making the total debt $3,402, according to the Scott County Treasurer’s Office.
Frank bought the Iowa farmhouse for $130,000 back on May 14, 2010.
As for the adjoining property that he purchased in 2013 for $25,000, he also missed the September 1, 2021 and March 1, 2022 payments, as he owes $1,636.
His grand total in property tax debt is $5,038.
The 1,660 square-foot farmhouse sits on .79 acres of land, and features two bedrooms and one bathroom.
The home also boasts a basement, three garages, barn and shed.
Frank renovated the farmhouse from when he bought it, as he painted it blue with white shutters, according to photos obtained from the Scott County Assessor’s Office.
Frank built a 3,240 square-foot warehouse in 2015.
FRANK’S ROAD TO RECOVERY
As The Sun reported, Frank last appeared on American Pickers during a March 2020 episode, as he took time off to recover from back surgery, which left him with 185 stitches and two rods in his spine.
During his time off the show, Frank lost 65 pounds, as he is living a healthier lifestyle and is sober from alcohol.
He also told The Sun that he entered rehab for alcohol addiction in Iowa for 77 days.
Frank previously said: “I went to rehab and I’ve been sober now for 11 months.
“I didn’t like drinking anymore. My mom was an alcoholic and she died five years ago and it was alcohol-related. My grandfather was an alcoholic and he died. That didn’t sit well with me.”
Frank said of his time in treatment: “They gave me a lot of information and we were booked up for 13 or 14 hours a day. There was no sitting around watching TV or eating food. You were scheduled out for an hour, then an hour and half, all through the day.
“They really give you a lot of one-on-one time. I read 12 self-help books while I was there. I didn’t f**k around. I really got into it. I went there to learn and get the most out of it that I possibly could.
“I had a great time there and I helped other people who were having problems too. It’s one of the best things that have happened to me.”
Frank continued that he goes to meetings “twice a week” after the stint.
The former History Channel star said he would’ve been sober for a year if it weren’t for a relapse.
Frank was open about wanting to return to American Pickers after his hiatus, as he said: “I’d still like to get back to my job, I miss my friends and my people and being on the road and meeting all those different characters.”
FRANK’S FIRING
But Mike revealed in July that Frank had been fired from the show.
He wrote on Instagram: “I have known Frank for as long as I can remember, he’s been like a brother to me. The journey that Frank, Dani and I started back in 2009, like all of life, has come with its highs and lows, blessings and challenges, but it has also been the most rewarding.
“The support that you all have given us has been a constant reminder of what the show’s message has always been; thru these places, people, and things we all have a common thread. We’re here to not only take care of the past, but also each other.”
Mike concluded: “I will miss Frank, just like all of you, and I pray for the very best and all good things for him on the next part of his journey.”
CO-STAR FEUD
The co-stars had been feuding, as Frank previously told The Sun of their falling out: “I haven’t talked to Mike in two years. He knew my back was messed up, but he didn’t call me up and ask how I was doing. That’s just how it is.
“The show is tilted towards him 1,000 percent. I can’t even bend that far down to show you how much.
“That’s fine. It’s like you’ve got Aerosmith and there’s Steven Tyler and he’s the front man. I found my spot, I’m second and he’s number one on the show. That’s no problem with me, maybe he does have a problem.”
Mike’s younger brother Robbie replaced the original cast member.
Ratings have struggled since the cast shakeup, as viewers have vowed to boycott the show over Frank’s absence.
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