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Those of us with a soft spot for nostalgia or a pirate's-level enthusiasm for buried treasures know there are few greater joys than whiling away a Sunday at an overstuffed flea market. If it weren't for these indoor and outdoor bazaars brimming with vintage finds, my sister and I would have a lot less to brag about. (Her most recent gem: a collection of 50s-era table lighters found at the Long Beach Antique and Collectibles Market. Mine: A faux-Victorian nightstand made in the 70s, scored at New York City's Chelsea Flea Market.)
From the coast of California to the borough of Brooklyn, these are the best places to find your new favorite things.
The Most Picturesque: Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire, Alameda, CA
Because of its stringent vendor rules (all items for sale must be at least twenty years old), and the scarcity of quality antiques shows in the Bay Area, the Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire draws a regular crowd of high-end antique dealers and serious collectors. The show's co-founder and organizer, Alan Michaan, even stresses that it shouldn't be called a mere flea market. But that shouldn't scare off the casual shopper; there are still plenty of bargains to be made among its 800 booths of vintage stereos, 60s-mod dining room furniture, classic Barbie dolls, and of course, much more.
"You can find something for one dollar or one thousand dollars," says Michaan, who also runs a nearby estate sale and auction in conjunction with the monthly show. The Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire is situated on a postcard-perfect stretch of the San Francisco Bay, on a former naval base's landing strip. The faire and estate sales take place the first Sunday of every month, rain or shine, even on holidays such as Easter, and the auction previews happen the following Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Most Fun: Long Beach Outdoor Antique and Collectible Market, Long Beach, CA
Right in the heart of Southern California's patio-living culture (nearly smack-dab between Los Angeles and Orange County), the Long Beach Outdoor Antique and Collectible Market (mentioned earlier) hosts a huge assortment of outdoor furniture, garden ceramics and statuary. Lynn and Donald Moger have managed the show, which takes place once a month at Veterans' Stadium, since 1982, and they also enforce a 20-year rule, so you know the bounty of Fiestaware and 50s-era Pyrex bowls aren't recent reproductions.
Lynn is most proud of the creativity her show inspires, and she says that she's seen "an old railroad cart purchased for use as a coffee table and vintage file cabinets converted into a bedroom dresser." One of its best perks? "Real restrooms!" The Long Beach Outdoor Antique and Collectible Market takes place the third Sunday of every month, rain or shine. Because of its sunny beach side location and popular beer vendors, the show has a decidedly street fair feel, and locals come by each week just to walk around and soak up the sea breeze.
The Coolest Newcomer: Brooklyn Flea, Brooklyn, NY
As the borough continues to rival and perhaps surpass Manhattan as a real estate hotbed and cultural epicenter, Brooklynites need a quality flea market of their own. After opening in 2008, the Brooklyn Flea has become the preeminent spot to score vintage furniture, décor, clothing and handmade goods. Last winter, the show expanded to include two weekly events: one is outdoors in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn, the other is inside a former Brooklyn bank built in the 1920s. The historic landmark, known as One Hanson, has limestone and marble interiors, intricate mosaics and is a marvel in itself.
"It has these beautiful, vast aisles you can get lost in. You might even forget where you are," says Brooklyn Flea's co-founder and organizer, Eric Demby. If you don't walk away with the perfect art deco vanity, you will leave with a full stomach. Food is a major focal point of the Brooklyn Flea, and you'll find one of the best smattering of tacos, cupcakes, lobster rolls, cannoli and Asian-inspired hot dogs in the country.
Texas Antique Weekend. Photo: Stan Williams / elegantthrifter.blogspot.com
Everything is bigger in Texas, and its premiere flea market is no exception. Texas Antique Weekend is a twice-yearly chain of shows that spans over 30 acres along Highway 237, at a midpoint between Houston and Austin. In April and October of every year, vendors from all over the country showcase items like Majolica ceramics, mid-century holiday decorations, small Victorian items, ranch oak furniture and basically everything else in between.
Stan Williams, author of The Find: The Housing Works Book of Decorating with Thrift Shop Treasures, Flea Market Objects, and Vintage Details (Clarkson Potter; 2009) puts Texas Antique Weekend at the top of his personal list and described it this way: "If you want big, expensive items, they're there. If you want junk, it's there. It really has everything." Because of its massive size, diverse spread, and semi-annual schedule, there is no such thing as a casual visit to the Texas Antique Weekend. Whether you're a devout or amateur thrifter, make a shopping holiday out of it. Check the show's website for maps, events, dealer list, restaurants and lodging info.
Honorable Mention: Treasure Mart, Ann Arbor, MI
Rather than wait until the region is sufficiently thawed-out to hold an outdoor flea market, the Ann Arbor-Detroit area is home to a year-round, three-story emporium of vintage goods. Not technically a flea market by design but thoroughly so in spirit, the Treasure Mart contains 8,500 square feet of delightfully curated and highly organized mid-century home furnishings, vintage clothing, costume jewelry, ceramics, dishware, and loads of small, inexpensive kitsch. Housed in a historic building that was once a mid-19th century planing mill, the Treasure Mart also has an outdoor area full of vintage patio furniture spanning a few decades. Visit TreasureMart.Wordpress.com for more details.
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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)
What about First Monday in Canton, Texas? Over 400 acres of trash to treasure every weekend after the first monday of the month. Every month.....rain or shine. How can you leave this out?!
ReplyIT IS THE WEEKEND BEFORE THE FIRST MON DAY IN THE MONTH. THAT SOMETIMES MAKES 2 "FIRST MONDAYS" IN A CALENDAR MONTH
I was thinking thge same thing. We were there last year and were so impressed by it that we are going back in Sept. We live in NJ so it's a long trip for a Flee Market but it will be worth it. Canton, Texas here we come.
What about Hershey Pa, 113 hundred acers, 10 thousand venders oct 6 to9 . the bigest of its kind
ReplyAlameda was absolutely fantastic for a Floridian to see. Went there this summer and thought it to be the best in the Country.
ReplyWhat about Englishtown in NJ. This is the granddaddy of flea markets for decades. they come in from all over, not just neighboring states.
ReplyAdd a dragway racing taack and a few buildings and you are set.
Parking is in an open field, you feel like looking out for cowpatties
The bigger the flea market, the higher the price on the items. I'd rather drive around to several local flea markets than spend the day in anything that big.
ReplyAny great flea markets in the Boston area? I am really looking for a great flea market in that area. Maybe something near NE Patriots stadium. Thanks for the help.
ReplyBrimfield is about 30 minutes East of Springfield, MA. They hold it in May, July and September. This years market will start on September 7 and run through the 12th. Should be 6,000+ vendors.
I can't believe Scott Antique Market in Atlanta, Georgia the second weekend of every month wasn't on your list. You can buy just about anything you want there. It's got a great mix of stuff, bargains and biggies!!
ReplyThe BEST and BIGGEST flea market is in Hillsville, VA this weekend! Every Labor Day weekend 500,000 people take over the entire town. Every field, parking lot and lawn is turned into a vendor spot, and you can find ANYTHING you can imagine. There is also a huge gun show and lots of great food! Come check it out: http://www.hillsville.com/fmarket.htm
ReplyWhat about Trader's World in Cincinnati, Ohio?
ReplyWhat about the Daytona Beach, FL flea market?
ReplyI always heard the San Jose flea market was the biggest...or atleast one of them. And what about the Rose Bowl swapmeet in Pasadena? of course, living in San Jose, California I personally prefer the smaller, but I think better, Capitol flea market. Lots of independent sellers instead of cookie cutter dealers, and you can always find great and unique stuff!!
ReplyThere is a HUGE flea market that takes place the third weekend of every month in Bloomington, Illinois! It's on the fair grounds and a whole lot of acreage of anything you can think of!
Replyflea markets like this are venues for you to purchase someone else's great "finds", as each vendor tends to be knowledgable about what they are selling nobody is giving away anything special. I prefer thrift storing meself, that's where you're going to find stuff of real value hiding amongst worthless knick knacks. Goodwill seems to have a great donations solicitation program, as does Amvets, Goodwill's policy of not allowing employees to shop where they work ensures an equal chance for all of a good selection. Bottom of the rack is Salvation Army, lots of overpriced wares-who manages those dives?
ReplyBeen to the flea market in San Jose and it's huge, that's for sure. There's a big on south of Milwaukee called Seven Mile Fair - I think it's every weekend.
Reply