By Kimberly Gasuras
CCN Reporter

BUCYRUS — The opening of Castle Auctions and Appraisals by two sisters is a family affair.

Missie Striker and Amanda Paez opened Castle Auctions and Appraisals on June 7 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce in the former home of the Bucyrus Tourism and Visitors Bureau at 301 S. Sandusky Ave., in Bucyrus.

“Bucyrus is our hometown and we raised our families here,” said Striker, who is known as “Your Friendly Auctioneer.”

The sisters, with the maiden name of Castle, also get help in the business from their two brothers, Darrin and Dwayne Castle.

“They help with several aspects of the business including our auctions” Paez said.

Both Striker and Paez are state-licensed auctioneers and real estate agents that offer many services such as auctions, real estate sales, tag sales and certified personal property appraisals.

“Ohio Real Estate Auctions is our broker for our real estate sales,” Striker said.

Paez said while they all do a little bit of everything, she works the most on the real estate side of things.

The business also includes the Castle Coin Shop.

“I work more on the auction side of the business and it has been a goal of mine for a long time to open a coin shop,” Striker said. “I became interested in coin collecting after I started working in the auction industry.”

Joe Graham will be helping in the coin shop.

“I’m a coin collector and have wanted something local for a long time,” Graham said. “It’s a great place with trustworthy people.”

Striker said she is working to keep prices down on the coins.

“I want to offer good deals for people, and we are honest in our pricing,” Striker said.

Tyler Jacobs, director of the Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce, said that the move of the Bucyrus Tourism and Visitors Bureau to East Mansfield Street freed up the building for a business such as Castle Auctions and Appraisals.

“It is important for businesses to be downtown and for us to have a diverse selection of businesses in our city,” Jacobs said. “Castle Auctions and Appraisals, along with their coin shop, is a great addition to our downtown area.”

For more information, call 419-689-0208 or visit Castle Auction and Appraisals website or find the business on Facebook at business’s page.