A piece of Brookhaven history will now become even more of apiece of Brookhaven history after falling into the right hands inthe silent auction at Thursday’s Taste of the Trust.

Carroll Montgomery, a local Brookhaven memorabilia collector,was the high bidder on the sign from the old McGrath’s store at theThursday night event, winning the marker of what used to be thebiggest department store from Memphis to New Orleans on a bid of$500.

Montgomery said he has been interested in the sign for quitesome time, but that at one point it disappeared.

“Well I tried to buy it several months ago, and then itdisappeared,” he said. “Then Terry Pappas chased it down for me,and told me it would be up for silent auction, and I think it’simportant to keep all this stuff at home where it belongs.”

It was a big deal to locate the sign, Montgomery said,especially considering his hobby of collecting things thatcommemorate the history of his favorite town.

“I love Brookhaven, and I love stuff that relates to Brookhaven,and I was afraid someone would sell the sign for scrap iron,” hesaid. “When Terry said Cameron Smith had it and it was going to theBrookhaven Trust, I got my hopes back up.”

And the sign will be put away for future generations to enjoy,Montgomery said, which is exactly where it needs to be. He said hewill be donating it to the Brookhaven museum that is in the processof being established in the old synagogue.

“That was the only thing I bid on. That was my main goal, thatsign,” he said. “That’s where it should have been all along, themuseum.”

Trust President Matt Hall said the event sold more than 100tickets over last year’s total. He said there is no count on howmuch money had been made yet, but there should be by the end of theweekend.

“This year, the way we marketed and all the publicity andeverything, it brought people out more than ever before,” he said,adding that some restaurants ran out of food.

There were more than 20 vendors set up at this year’s event.

“It was a good night. We were so happy, it really exceeded allour expectations,” Hall said. “And the auction was great. It was agreat show by our local artisans.”

Trust member Rita Rich said that besides the auction, the restof the event went smoothly too, from what she could tell.

“I do know people were having a good time, everyone was laughingand talking and enjoying themselves,” she said. “At things likethis we see people we haven’t seen in forever, which is why I wasenjoying it. I think for some people it was their first time thereand they’ll come back.”

Rich said members of the Trust also give the credit to thecommunity for the success of the event.

“We really want to thank people from the community forsupporting it,” she said.

Montgomery said he’s just grateful for the chance to get hishands on the big sign that commemorates the big store.

“I’m happy to find anything I can that relates to the traditionof what Brookhaven ought to be,” he said. “And we’re long overdue amuseum and I’m really glad they gave us the synagogue so we can goahead and get started.”