Cheryl Burke

Owner/Curator at Burke Antiques

When Cheryl Burke became widowed 26 years ago, she retreated to her lake house and considered next steps. She contemplated her passions, thinking “I like history, I like to travel, I love beautiful things, and I like high quality.” She concluded, “That’s an antique dealer. I want to be an antique dealer.”

In the years that followed, she sourced antiques around the globe, taking trips to China, South America, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, England, and other countries. Her eye for superior quality helped her bring back and curate beautiful antiques. 

A few years ago, Burke tried retiring to Italy, but before long returned to Sarasota to open her current shop at 72 South Palm Avenue. “I’m not going to close the shop again,” she says, “I’m going to stay in business until I can’t do it anymore. Because this is my love. “

Burke is happy to share her passion. “When people walk into my shop, they don’t have to buy,” says Burke. “It’s a history lesson. If they are interested in something, I can tell them the history behind it.” 

Burke works with objects and furnishings from all eras and styles, from ornate to modern, and is assisted by an ASID designer and other staff. From day-to-day, her role varies: buying items directly, helping clients find select pieces, appraising, and helping executors sell the contents of high-end estates. 

Several trust attorneys in town have come to her with expansive, pristine collections. The latest is over 1,000 pieces and valued at more than one million dollars. “It’s flying out the door,” she says.

Today, her reputation speaks for itself. “I find wonderful things and people know me after 26 years in business,” she says. “They know the quality of what I have.”

Cheryl Burke
Owner/Curator
Burke Antiques
72 Palm Ave South, 
Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 552-8505
info@burkeantiques.net 
burkeantiques.net