When the producers of the television show American Pickers contacted Bearly Makin’ It antique store owners Marion “Oggie” Ogden and Dennis Maggard of Marion about appearing on the television show, Ogden said there was no hesitation.

“I thought it would be fun,” Ogden said.

And fun it was when Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, owners of Antique Archaeology of Iowa and stars of the popular show, came to Marion April 15 and filmed a segment for an upcoming episode.

Nine crew members — seven of them from New York — arrived at 10 a.m. and filmed until 4 p.m. that day at

“This was the first time for the New Yorkers to be in Kansas,” Ogden said. “They thoroughly enjoyed it.”

After a day of filming and fun, the two Marion businessmen ended up selling only $75 worth of merchandise to the professional collectors. The hosts and crew spent their time at a storage building on North Walnut Street in Marion, formerly the alfalfa mill.

At lunchtime, the group didn’t want a large, sit-down meal. They ate sandwiches and salads from a local restaurant.

“I just wanted to have the experience,” Ogden said. “This is real life stuff.”

About the show

When the show debuted in its first season, it drew 3.1 million people, placing it among the 20 top-rated shows on cable. With the second season in the works, more viewers will be watching.

Wolfe and Fritz reportedly have been friends since the eighth grade.

This show offers something refreshing in the reality television arena.

“People are tired of other reality TV shows,” Ogden said. “This is mostly real life stuff about two guys from Iowa.”

After the cast and crew left Marion, they went to Fort Scott, Saint Joseph, Mo., and Pacific, Mo.

They typically work for three weeks and then go home for a few weeks before hitting the road again.

Although a definite date has not been set for the airing of the “picking” in Kansas, it should be sometime in June.