The doors opened just after 10 a.m. for day one of the estate sale featuring clothing and other personal items of shot businesswoman Diane McIver. By then, the line had grown to about 100 people, wrapping around the parking lot of a warehouse in Miami Circle.
There were two separate lines and the longer one was designated for those who had come to shop the thousands of clothing, costume jewelry, shoes and other possessions of McIver.
"This was highly publicized, so I think that is why this is quite a turnout," said Mark Pollack who was visiting the sale on advice from a friend.
McIver, 64, died in September after she was shot in the back by her husband Tex McIver while riding in their SUV. Tex McIver has said the shooting was an accident. A criminal investigation is ongoing.
The estate sale, conducted by Peachtree Battle Estate Sales & Liquidations, is part of the effort to raise money to support McIver's will, said Tammy Johnson, the manager of McIver's estate.
"When you have a will and the deceased's wishes need to be granted...there is a lot of cash that needs to be raised for the people in the will. Unfortunately, (McIver) didn't have a lot of cash and so the attorneys have instructed us to do this," said Johnson.
In addition to the estate sale, there will be a live auction on Jan. 14 which will feature higher-end furs and fine jewelry. Johnson said the turnout for the estate sale was more than they expected. "We are pleasantly surprised," she said.
McIver enjoyed bright colors, prints and luxe details from designers such as Roberto Cavalli, Christian Lacroix and Moschino. The clothing and accessories filled an entire room with racks upon racks of designer goods. Prices ranged from as low as $12 for t-shirts while items such as furs were priced in the range of $875 and higher.
Shoppers were allowed to enter the sale in groups of 25 to 30 which left quite a few of them waiting outside. Many experienced estate sale shoppers said they hadn't seen such large crowds but they were willing to wait for a look at what was inside.
"I go to a lot of estate sales for jewelry and purses. I saw some interesting things in the pictures (online)," said Rae Mitchell. While the sale is high-profile, Mitchell said she wasn't familiar with McIver's story. "I have no idea who she is. I am just interested in her things," said Mitchell.
But many in line were discussing McIver. They wondered aloud about the status of the investigation and some noted that it seemed a bit soon to sell her items.
"People were talking about the sale and it has been all over the news what has been going on. I am a native Atlantan and a little familiar with the family and the background. It is kind of an exciting thing for Atlanta, " said Cheryl Weiss who was there to check out jewelry and fashion.
Johnson, the estate manager, said the timing of the sale was not a decision made by McIver's husband.
"The family is still very distraught. They can't believe they have to go through this, but on the advice of the attorneys, this is what we are doing," she said.
The five-day sale, continues through Sunday, Dec. 11, when any items left will be 50 percent off.
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