Kewanna Auction House changes hands

Tom Mate has made a big impact on Kewanna since opening Luke’s Auction 21 years ago. 

His decision to retire from the auction business in 2019 presented Michelle and David Young  with a new business opportunity and in June of 2020,  the Young’s became the official business owners of the auction house at 413 N East Street. 

Now JuJu’s Gems and Rusty Gold, their flea market is open every Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 7pm and does auctions every Friday night in either Michigan City or Elkhart. 

David is also a Kewanna Fall Festival volunteer and plans to be an active part of the community just as much as Mate and wants to support the community as much as they can in the future. 

Tom Mate still remains Chairman of the Kewanna Fall Festival. Mate and his family started the festival in 2003, breathing life into the small town community. 

The festival, which is held every year on the last weekend in September, attracts families from throughout the state with it’s free Circus, rides and a full on carnival atmosphere. 

Due to Covid restrictions, the Kewanna Fall Festival for 2020 has been cancelled. In a previous public statement Mate said he and the committee are planning for an even bigger and better return in 2021, with promises of next year featuring speciality shows never seen in Fulton County before.