The antique shop in Waterloo, Ontario, which had listed a Nazi uniform for sale, announced on Wednesday that they've withdrawn the item and offered an apology.
In a statement to Global News, the shop said, “We've extended our apologies to the Holocaust organization, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC). While history cannot be erased, we believe that by partnering with the right organizations, we can preserve it in a manner that respects everyone's sensibilities. We hope to collaborate with FSWC in the future.”
UPDATE: This morning, St. Jacobs Antiques Market notified us that the Nazi uniform has been pulled and issued an apology. We're thankful for the market's quick response and understanding of our concerns over the sale of Nazi memorabilia, and are hopeful the market will avoid any… https://t.co/jZ60rtJDsW
— Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (@CanadianFSWC) August 30, 2023
Responding to the gesture, FSWC told The Jerusalem Post, “This morning, we received word from St. Jacobs Antiques Market that they've removed the Nazi uniform from sale and have apologized. We appreciate the market's prompt reaction and their understanding of our concerns about the sale of Nazi memorabilia. We remain hopeful that they will refrain from listing such items in the future."
Nazi memorabilia controversy
The controversy arose when the Waterloo-based antique shop displayed and offered for sale a piece of Nazi memorabilia. The item, a 1930s Nazi uniform complete with a party pin and armband, carried a price tag of $6,500.
One customer, Jeremy Scharoun, voiced his dismay upon discovering the item. Speaking to CityNews, he remarked, "It seemed like an attempt to profit from something deeply offensive." He further emphasized the stark difference between selling such an item and using it for educational ends.