TEAM

Heather has been immersed in the world of estate sales and antiques since childhood, learning the ins and outs of the business alongside her father—an accomplished expert in antiques and collectibles, known for his seminars and published works. Heather caught the vintage bug early — at just 12 years old, she found herself wide-eyed at an antiques seminar at Sotheby’s, trailing her dad and absorbing the elegance, rarity, and rich history of fine art and antiques. What began as a family tradition quickly evolved into a lifelong passion.

 

With a degree in Marketing & Communications and a background in interior design, Heather brings a refined eye for style, spatial planning, and storytelling through objects. Over the years, she has cultivated a unique niche in sourcing distinctive pieces for private clients, collectors, and interior designers—helping to shape beautifully curated spaces with authenticity and character.

 

Heather's reselling experience spans decades and includes a particular love for mid-century modern design, vintage fashion, and furniture. Her extensive travel and deep appreciation for global culture and cuisine have further shaped her aesthetic sensibility and broadened her market perspective. She believes every item has a story, and her approach to estate sales reflects that—thoughtful, respectful, and detail-driven.

 

Whether she’s staging a sale, researching provenance, or connecting a piece with its perfect new owner, Heather combines professional polish with a personal touch. Her knowledge, passion, and intuition are at the heart of what makes each sale both successful and meaningful.

Kirk’s passion for auctions and estate sales began at a young age, inspired by trips to the sale barn in East Springfield, PA with his grandfather and estate sales with his mother. In high school, he began assisting his mother, an antique dealer with a focus on quilts and textiles, as well as his grandfather, who specialized in farm equipment, tractors, and firearms.

 

Following graduation, Kirk served in the U.S. Army for 21 years, with assignments across Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. His time in the military fueled a lifelong love of travel and learning about different cultures. After retiring from service, Kirk earned his degree in Organizational Communication with a minor in Human Resource Management from Nebraska Wesleyan University.

 

In retirement, Kirk has continued to pursue his interests by dealing in antiques, restoring vintage tractors and cars, and specializing in firearms, ammunition, collectibles, and reloading equipment. His deep knowledge of tools and equipment—some long forgotten by most—makes him an invaluable resource to the team. Around here, we affectionately call him the “Cliff Clavin” of the business. His Army buddies knew him as a "walking Google," and we couldn’t agree more.

With over a decade of experience in the estate sale industry, Lauren brings a compassionate, knowledgeable presence to every sale. She began working estate sales at just 15 years old, gaining early exposure to the nuances of customer service, staging, and retail. Now at 27, she’s become a trusted anchor on The Root Cellar team, known for her friendly demeanor, steady professionalism, and intuitive approach to supporting both clients and shoppers.

 

Lauren  studied at Penn State Behrend, where she strengthened her communication and organizational skills—tools she now uses to help families navigate the complex and often emotional journey of estate liquidation, downsizing, and appraisals. An added layer is her license as an esthetician, which brings a natural sense of calm, attention to detail, and care to every interaction—whether she’s supporting a family through a tough transition or checking out a customer at the register.

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Whether she’s coordinating logistics, greeting customers, or checking someone out at the door, [Name] brings warmth, professionalism, and a genuine love for helping people to every part of the job.

Reese is our youngest team member and a rising senior at Southeast High School—but don’t let her age fool you! She brings a sharp eye for style, a genuine love for all things vintage, and a calm, can-do attitude to every estate sale.

 

Reese is our youngest team member and a rising senior at Southeast High School—but don’t let her age fool you! She brings a sharp eye for style, a genuine love for all things vintage, and a calm, can-do attitude to every estate sale. Whether she’s helping customers at checkout, managing the flow of a busy sale day, or sharing her favorite retro finds, Reese adds a fresh, friendly energy that perfectly rounds out The Root Cellar team. She reminds us daily that the next generation appreciates the past just as much as we do.

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f you’ve ever had a question about antique quilts, old stoneware crocks, or the story behind a hand-stitched sampler, Marilyn is your go-to gal. With decades of experience in the world of antiques and collectibles, she brings a wealth of knowledge, a keen eye, and a genuine love for history to our team.

 

Before joining us, Marilyn managed not just one—but two—of Nebraska's  busiest antique malls, working side-by-side with dozens of vendors and collectors. That experience gave her an incredible breadth of knowledge across categories, but her true specialties include textiles, primitive antiques, vintage pottery, and early glass. She's the kind of person who can spot a gem in a pile of dusty treasures and tell you exactly where it came from, how it was made, and why it matters.

 

Marilyn is down-to-earth, approachable, and always ready to share what she knows. Whether she’s helping set up for a sale, talking with clients, or giving us the inside scoop on a rare find, she brings heart, humor, and authenticity to everything she does. We feel lucky to have her on our team—and we know our clients do too.