Sea Hagg Antique Shop to Close

CORTEZ – The popular Cortez antique and curiosities shop, The Sea Hagg, is closing its doors after 25 years. An online auction to sell the shop’s contents is running now and will close at noon on October 27.

Long known as a top destination within the historic Cortez Village for nautical and sea-themed antiques and curiosities, the property which was home to the eclectic shack has been sold.

The more than 1,000 items up for bid include the 1991 Mercury Capri, painted in mermaids, complete with sculpted tails. The "art-o-mobile" (which does not run) has served as an iconic sign standing as one of the first things passersby notice out in front of the store while traveling the Cortez causeway.

The auction gallery also includes numerous sculptures and statues, decorative iron gates and fences, garden and interior art, shells and coral, glass bottles and buoy balls, and countless other eclectic treasures.

The Sea Hagg will be open to the public for inspection of items up for auction on Saturday, October 22 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m .and again on Wednesday, October 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bidders can view the online catalog of items by going to www.freedomauctions.com,and selecting "The Sea Hagg" from the live auctions menu.

In a recent social media post on Facebook, The Sea Hagg shared some words about the bittersweet closure, writing in part, "We all agree it is sad to say good-bye to this treasure. But the spirit of the Sea Hagg continues, showing up in restaurants, homes, and gardens. Jan had a creative vision 25 years ago and stayed focused on nautical decor, antiques, and salvage the entire time. It just kept getting better! This is a testament for all of us to live into our creative dreams..."

In an email to TBT, Brian Hollifield of the Freedom Auction Company shared that The Sea Hagg's owner, founder, and visionary, Jan Holman, does have plans for something in the future but that those plans are not yet ready to be announced.

For more information about The Sea Hagg, its closing, and the upcoming auction, visit The Sea Hagg on Facebook, here.