By Andi Anderson
For over 60 years, Sam Schnaidt’s life has been tied to auctions, starting in 1963 in Decatur, Indiana. He began his career with a simple $10 license after attending one of only two auction schools in the country. Inspired by his antique-loving parents and the thrill of making profit from reselling items, Schnaidt’s passion quickly turned into a full-time career.
In 1971, Schnaidt and his wife Heidi opened their own antique shop, and by 1983, they established Apple Tree Auction Center in Newark. The center, which handles everything from jewelry and coins to safe deposit box contents, represents decades of dedication and growth.
Apple Tree Auction is proudly a family business. When their children, David and Debbie, were young, they worked to earn their first cars. That experience rooted their interest in the auction world. Both later attended auction school and joined the family business in the 1990s. Debbie is now the vice president and part of the Auctioneer’s Commission, while her son and daughter-in-law manage the jewelry section.
Before David passed away in 2013, he introduced the idea of online bidding. Though initially hesitant, Sam quickly realized its value. The shift to online auctions proved crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing Apple Tree to reach bidders nationwide, with nearly 200 participants daily.
Despite changes in buyer interest, especially among younger generations, Schnaidt remains committed. “Every day brings something new,” he says. While he acknowledges items sell for less today than 20 years ago, the excitement of the unexpected keeps him going.
With its blend of tradition, family values, and digital innovation, Apple Tree Auction Center continues to be a trusted auction house rooted in Indiana’s farming and antique history.
Photo Credit: istock-rixipix
Categories: Indiana, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables