About us
In 1991, James Bean founded James Bean Estate Sales, and has since become the leader in Oklahoma City's estate sale industry. Not only were we the first company to have a website and to accept credit cards, but our innovative ideas have been copied by almost every other company in our industry.
Innovation
Our innovations have evolved from hosting over 1,000 estate sales since 1991, and about 50 more are hosted each year. These have ranged from the very small to the very large, all over Oklahoma City and surrounding communities, and we have sold everything from common household furniture, antiques, and appliances, to cars, tools, guns, coin collections, and farm equipment for some of the biggest names in Oklahoma.
James Bean
James started his estate sale business in 1991 with the passing of his mother. 30 years ago, estate companies only liquidated large, important estates and James was forced to sell his mother's estate himself. He realized that there was a need in Oklahoma City for someone to handle smaller sales, and his estate business was born, followed by an antique store, James Bean Antiques, located at 4207 N. Western.
Brian Benson
Brian started in the antiques field working for his father at age 6. Brian started by learning restoration and helped with buying and selling and as a kid, practically lived at different auction houses. Brian continued dabbling in selling antiques as a way to pay for college and in 1995 worked for a large antique mall selling and assisting with liquidating estates. In 1997, he partnered with James Bean to expand their antiques business to Dallas and Houston, and expanding their estate liquidation business. In January 1999, they opened Western Avenue Antique Mall located at 5219 N. Western.
In 2002, James and Brian sold their antique mall to devote their time to liquidating estates. James passed away in a house fire on January 2, 2005. After rescuing two friends from the house fire, he went back to rescue two dogs he was fostering in his home, and was, ultimately, overcome by smoke inhalation.
Brian Benson and the rest of the crew have committed to continue the company James founded, and to keep the name of James Bean alive. More information about James may be found on the James Bean Memorial Page.