Who We Are

Chesapeake MarketPlace, Inc. is made up of two separate entities.
The MarketPlace consists of shop rentals where dealers can sell their own merchandise or we can sell for them. The Auction House is where consignors bring their items for us to sell in weekly online auctions that reach buyers from around the country. 

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Meet the Forman Family

Once upon a time, a Calvert County girl named Kay met a New York boy named Larry at a college in Kentucky – and thus began the Forman family.

A few years after they were married, Larry and Kay moved to Calvert County to live in an old family farmhouse. Here they raised two daughters, and both taught at the local high school.

In 1984, they had the opportunity to buy out the other members of the family owned H.B. Truman Lumber Co. When the business folded during a major building recession in 1992, the Forman's were left with seven buildings on five acres of land and no idea what to do next.

With a lot of prayers and determination they decided to turn the lumber company into something completely new. Through a long and daunting transformation process, the lumberyard’s historic structures were converted into charming shops, convenient rental spaces and a lively auction house. Kay managed the office and rental side of things while Larry became the auctioneer. To hone his new craft, Larry went to the Mendenhall School of Auctioneering in High Point, North Carolina.

Since then, the business has grown to nearly 100 dealers selling antiques, collectibles, books, gifts, art and so much more. After more than two decades of live auctions in St. Leonard, the Auction House has now expanded its reach to the digital realm with weekly online auctions that end every Thursday night.

The Forman's mission is to provide great service and savings to our customers with honesty and integrity.

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