If you love antiques, you’re going to love vintage markets. Here are just a few reasons why you should find one in your area and go!

All businesses that are mentioned today are not sponsored. If you are curious about any of the businesses I have mentioned, I will leave links to their websites at the end of the post to learn more! If you are not in Connecticut, a few of them had Etsy pages for online shopping. I will leave links to those as well.

This was a post I couldn’t have planned.

Just like the last post, this was inspired by a Meetup I went to. (Meetup, hit me up if you want a sponsor a post!) I had seen that there was a meetup happening with a group I was a part of, but I had to meet them.

Plus, this was at a vintage market!

What is a vintage market anyway? I had no idea. This particular event was the Salem Vintage Market, which apparently has been held yearly since 2013. How did I not know about this?!

The website had a description of perusing through the different stalls and seeing all sorts of wares. Being the antique junkie that I am, I had to go.

It did not disappoint!

Spending time at the vintage market! #ctsummer #ctevents #hellosaturday

A post shared by Food Drinks Life (@fooddrinkslife) on Jun 24, 2017 at 9:23am PDT

I mean, it took me a couple of hours to find my group. In which time, I walked around, took pictures at the different stalls and mingled with the shop owners. All in all, not a bad way to spend a weekend afternoon!

There were all sorts of goodies I saw, which you’ll see some pictures of today. Today is more of a picture blog, so let me know in the comments if this is something that you like!

 

 

 

1. It’s an outdoor antique shop.

What is there not to love about an outdoor antique shop?! Especially since the day that I went was exceptionally beautiful. It was warm, the sun was out, and there was some breeze.

Actually, it was enough breeze to blow my hat off a few times! (If you follow me on Instagram, you would know what hat I was talking about…)

But still. Being able to be outside while looking at all sorts of different wares was absolutely lovely. Antique shops, especially in the summertime, can get really stuffy. But in the case of an outdoor vintage market, that is not a concern! 

 

 

2. You get to learn about and see antique shops you didn’t know about in your area.

I’m always down to finding new antique shops, but sometimes they’re almost hidden. Maybe they don’t have signs out front, or they don’t have a website. Either way, when I do find an antique shop, it’s usually because I found it while driving by.

Vintage markets are like speed dating for antiques! (Among other goods, of course.)

Granted, a lot of them weren’t really on my side of the state. But even still, a few of them had Etsy pages! If I really liked or wanted something of theirs, I could always go and see what they have there. And for my viewers outside of Connecticut, the Etsy pages help you to join in on the fun!

There was another antique shop that wasn’t there, but was advertised by another shop. I also noticed that it was fairly close to me! Next time I am up in the way of this store, I’ll have to stop and take a gander.

 

 

 

3: You never know what you’re going to find.

Much like a yard sale, antique shops always have new and different goods at their stores. Since you can’t make antiques, it’s not like there is a constant rotating inventory for a particular item!

For example, I’ve been shopping for a floral teapot with 4 matching cups and their saucers. This is a more difficult undertaking than I expected! Well, not so difficult if I am willing to spend $200-300 on a set… no thanks.

I set out to this market with the anticipation of finding one! Unfortunately, no luck. But I did get to see all sorts of art, old-timey signs, repurposed goods, dinnerware, furniture… the sky is the limit. Plus, I got a blog post out of it, so I can’t be too sad. 🙂

So there are just a few reasons to hit the town and look for the next vintage market in your area! If you like antiques, this will be right up your alley. 🙂

Thank you to all of these awesome businesses for allowing me to take pictures of their goods! If you want to learn more, click on the websites below and be sure to tell them that Gem from Food Drinks Life sent you!

Over The Moon Vintage, Cheshire, CT: www.overthemoonvintage.com and www.otmvintage.etsy.com

Rooster River Antiques, Fairfield, CT: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RoosterRiver

2 Sister’s Design, Plantsville, CT: https://www.facebook.com/2sistersdesignpauladarlenecharneco/

Now and Then, Online: www.shargatz.etsy.com

Redux for You, Enfield, CT: www.reduxforyou.com

For the Birds, Stonington, CT: www.forthebirdsct.com

Cheers dears!

Gem