I’m starting a new feature over here on Thursdays that I’m really excited about. One of my favorite aspects of hunting down previously-loved treasures is the research that goes into each item once it makes it into my home. They all have unique and interesting stories. This new feature titled, The Collected & Reused will feature one item from my online market each week. Each week may be slightly different, but I’ll provide little stories to go along with the item. Some weeks may be more informational as I will provide information about the item; where I found it, what it’s original purpose was, what it’s worth, and even what you can do to repurpose it. Think of it as an online Antique Roadshow broadcasting live from my loft. It’s going to be fun. I promise.
This week’s story comes from my Dad, partner in crime, and old junk lover. He’s been helping me track down product for the market203 launch, so he has some stories to share about the experience. Hopefully I can get him to share more stories during this series.
On the hunt again! Over the last year I have been pounding the pavement looking for the best deals! When my daughter, Cassie told be that she was going to open up an online shop, it sounded cool, then only to find out that she was going to sell vintage goods, I was in heaven. I have a love and knack for finding old treasures….
Hunting down products from the past can be a blast. You have to search all estate sales, antique malls and flea markets just to name a few. This is where you’ll find the deals and you have to look all over the country to be really successful.
Let me tell you about a story, my lucky day!
I got back from a business trip and decided it was time to investigate the “Garage Sale” scene. In my mind this just didn’t seem like a FUN day, sifting thru the mounds of clothes, books, old shoes, etc, all typical of what you will find in the neighborhood.
It was time to figure out where all the good stuff was, so I went and got our local newspaper. In my city they have a 3 page spread just devoted to Garage Sales! The newspaper displays a color coded map to help guide you to all the sales.
Now, how do you know where to start? Good question. “Close your eyes and point” was my method! I identified 10 stops I wanted to try, got out the GPS, loaded in every stop, and was ready to go! Woke up early the next morning, and the wife and I started out on the journey…
The first stop was out in the country, so to speak. We pulled up the stone driveway and saw nothing, no sign of any Garage Sale, no cars no people, no life! We kept driving down the lane and saw 3 chicken coops, a pole barn, but still no signs of life. Oh well I thought, lets go on to the next one…
Just as we were about to leave, I saw movement to my right. We looked over to see a women exiting one of the chicken coops. I rolled down the window and asked, “Is there a sale going on?” She answered, “yes, come on in, help your self!”
We thought, ok we came this far, lets have a quick look. My wife and I jumped out of the car, opened the chicken coop door, and WHOLLY MOSES, god’s gift landed in out lap. It turns out this lady along with a close friend have been collecting antiques, and OLD/vintage containers for several years. Her husband got sick so they closed down their antique store, and redecorated this chicken coop to the hilt. All I could say was AWSOME! The way they had everything displayed was inspiring. I thought to myself, “this is what it’s all about.” The bonus was that they sold me everything at cost, so I bought everything I could, and blew off the rest of the day. I guess the Garage Sales were not meant to be!
This item will be listed in the market203 the last week of June amongst a gazillion more items.