Step upstairs and enter the War Zone. Let Tim Stark, military historian, model builder, curator and Army veteran, show the way.
“It’s cool … we have some pretty cool stuff here,” the energetic and perpetually moving Stark said of his wide collection of unusual and common military items and wears. “This stuff is history. It changed the world … and after 2,000 years of war, we’re still not at peace.”
Stark, a retired sheet metal worker, contractor and bartender, has found his niche as a dealer for his large and mostly historic military collection. His store – tucked upstairs in the Auburn Red Barn, an antique collectible mall – is filled with just about everything imaginable for military collectors and connoisseurs.
Almost everything.
“If you’re interested in a (full-sized) Russian tank, I can help you get it,” Stark said while reaching for his rack of military catalogs. “There’s nothing you can’t buy.”
How about a World War II German Tiger tank?
“No, those are hard to find,” Stark deadpanned. “They still have them. They’re still digging them up in Europe. … Each country has their own war museum.”
Walk through the War Zone and one can find a large inventory of pins and patches, medals and knives, hats and caps, uniforms and gear, globes and maps, toys and trinkets, flags and photos, books and videos.
How rare is some of the stuff?
“How about insulated, high-altitude American bomber pants from World War II? How cool is that?” Stark said while patrolling assorted racks of overcoats, jackets, shirts and pants in the War Zone loft.
Whether it’s attire or weapons, not everything is U.S. issued. Collectibles represent many service branches and countries, including the axis powers of World War II.
What’s become popular is the patch, emblematic of a particular company, division or army.
“Today, the ‘older war’ isn’t World War II, but the Vietnam War,” Stark said. “The younger generation might be looking for the (unit) patch that their father, grandfather or uncle wore.”
Stark’s authentic collection is so rare and complete that theater groups, film companies and school drama casts often turn to him to fill their costume needs.
Stark got into the business after participating in the Midway swap meets on weekends. He found a market for such items, including popular pins, and proceeded to open up his own store. The War Zone came about 10 years ago.
Stark admits his work is unusual but never dull. If he can’t find a particular item, he will make the effort to track it down.
“It’s cool what we do. I mean, this is history,” Stark said as his eyes lit up. “What we do is encourage people to drop by, come on in and take a look.
“Everyone is interested in history. History cannot be forgotten.”
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We’re open
• Business:
• Specializing: More than 10,000 collectibles on display, including antique furniture, comics, toys, clocks, dolls, knives, Indian artifacts. War Zone offers a wide inventory of authentic pins, patches and medals, hats, caps and uniforms.
• Quote: “It’s life in America. The things we collect. It’s everything you don’t have that you might have to have. … It’s kind of fun, and it changes all the time.” – Cristy “Cris” Ellingson, store partner and manager.
• Hours: 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday-Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday. Closed on Monday.
• Information: 253-520-2060, www.auburnredbarn.com
