WHERE TO NEXT?By Kaitlin Childs
If there’s one thing that brings me pure, unadulterated joy in life it’s the quest for forgotten, under-appreciated, disregarded stuff. Since my teenage years, I’ve always had a fascination with thrift stores, garage sales, my grandmother’s closet, and curbside gems. It wasn’t until recently that I put two and two together and realized it was a great way to not only bring character to a home, but also avoid filling trash bins with perfectly good, usable items. Thankfully, I stumbled upon a one stop shop that avoids driving excursions and instead offers anything from vintage jewelry and clothing, a myriad of art, retro to shabby chic furniture, weathered accessories and all around unique finds perfect for personalizing any home/space. The Long Beach Antique Market is held every third Sunday of the month at the Veteran’s Stadium across from the Long Beach Airport. General admission is five bucks with free parking and lasts from 5:30am-3:00pm. If this isn’t the best way to spend a Sunday, then I don’t know what is. With over 800 vendors, it can be a bit overwhelming. Luckily I consider myself a seasoned scavenger and have plenty of tips to pass along—not to mention a hairstylist who sells teacups and saucers at the market whose brain I pick on a monthly basis.
Tips and Tidbits:
#1: Dress comfortably and casually and don’t forget sunscreen! Hats, parasols, water, carrying carts, etc. are all highly recommended for the upcoming summer sun.
#2: The more casual/grungy you appear, the more vendors will take pity and charge you less when they throw out a price.
#3: Don’t be afraid to haggle! Vendors always start out high because they expect you to challenge their price.
#4: Avoid a plan. I’ve personally have gone both ways – I’ve gone with something specific in mind versus an early morning, unplanned outing. My advice is to simply go and buy items that peak your interest based on what you’re willing to spend. Part of the fun is figuring out what to do with the random item(s) after you’ve purchased them.
#5: According to a reliable source, the farther back you go, the more bang for your buck. This is due to the amount paid for rental space. Typically, the vendors in the far right corner are the ones who purchase a cheap space solely to get rid of unwanted stuff. The one’s in the front are seasoned, traveling professionals that need to make a living.
#6: If you have the time, research before you go. The more you know, the better deals you will get.
#7: Strike up a conversation with the vendors and ask them questions about their products. The beauty of antiques is that they all have a story and vendors are usually very knowledgeable and passionate about what they’re selling. It will make what you purchase and your experience that much more special.
If you’re having a hard time trying to figure out what to do with your obscure vintage find, the Flea Market Style is a great reference to gather inspiration for incorporating the old with the new.
If you’re looking to start out small, the Melrose Trading Post held every Sunday at Fairfax High School, is much more manageable and is only two bucks to get in—not to mention it supports a great cause. The Trading Post, in conjunction with the Fairfax High School administration, teachers and parents, and Greenway Arts, envisioned the weekly market as a means for the students to make a significant contribution to their own success through raising money for school programs.
For the brave souls out there, the Rose Bowl Flea Market is held the second Sunday of every month from 9:00am-4:30pm with an $8.00 admission fee. Personally, I draw the line when over 2,500 vendors are involved.
Happy Treasure Hunting!!!
Image credit: My Sparrow Blog
