I found Canton

Post II of the Canton Trilogy

Canton Trade Days is held the Thursday-Sunday before the first Monday of the month. Such calculations in the summer just to figure out when to go to a flea market! Don't stress your brain - just check the calendar. You would hate to drive 4 (or in my case, 8) hours to go to a show that is actually happening the following weekend. But if you are anywhere near Canton right now, the show is in progress and running through tomorrow. The temperature is even less than 100 degrees! I am sure you can find lots of sweaty shoppers and a deal or two.

Though the show starts on Thursday, I visited on Wednesday morning. I heard that many vendors are there and set up ready for business much earlier than the official start - especially in the back behind the Pavilion and Arbors barns. I had heard about the junky dealers in the back, but I have to admit I was a little confused on where they actually were. I heard to turn just past Laurie Anna's and the air-conditioned building, and then drive way to the back. Well that little bumpy blacktop road ends up circling back to I-20. Fail. But I persevered and finally found where I needed to be (turn into the Pavilion area and then follow the tiny paved road to the back). This is how I knew I was there: 

Wow. This junk pile is so good that I need to show you another angle:

I slather on my sunscreen, lace up my tennis shoes, and count my cash. I packed a tank top to wear, but was glad that my good ol' Lady Cougars gym bag had a t-shirt still in it from track season. The less sun on my back, the better. Let me tell you how hot this Cougar looked sweating it (a lot) in a rumpled old shirt! It didn't matter though - I had my game face on and was ready to shop. 

I step into the first barn and was ecstatic about all the rusty steel! And then I asked how much - they were wanting more than twice as much as I have seen wash tub stands selling for at little shops. Moving on...

Well, there wasn't a whole lot to move on to in this barn. I could rent a scooter (end of the barn)...but I had my Cougar shoes on and was ready to prowl. 

I finally see a few cute things:

 

 

 

And finally, my first purchase of the day - a pair of awesome golden velvety chairs. I love them, but am not sure I have a place for them. They may be going with me to the Rusted Gingham Barn Sale in November! 

I was so close to losing these chairs. I sat in them, admired them, haggled on them, and then walked away. I texted my mom a picture asking for her opinion, and before she even wrote back, I decided I just had to have them. I hadn't even walked 30 seconds away from the chairs, and another lady (one of the only other shoppers on the grounds with me Wednesday) was already admiring them and trying one out. I didn't want to be rude, so I didn't say anything to the seller while she was sitting in them, but the minute she got up, I told him I wanted them. He looks at her, and she very generously said to go ahead, you were looking at them first. Whew! They aren't kidding when they say don't walk away as it might not be there when you return! 

I was so appreciative that she let me buy them. Guess I didn't really have my game face on afterall - but lesson learned.  

I had pretty much exhausted the back barns and was curious if anyone if the big buildings up front was open.

Most all booths were either early in their move-in phase or had just dropped their stuff off to set up later. You know, when it got good and hot, up to the predicted 108.  

 

I did find some back to school supplies:

 

Somebody found a school district getting rid of old desks and AV carts. Though those 'old desks' are what my students' desks look like in my relatively new school. We could stand to replace a few of ours...

Beyond the junk and schoolhouse furniture/equipment, there are gobs of other items to peruse: purses, jewelry, apparel, flip flops, sunglasses, more jewelry and clothes, reproduction furniture and accessories, super nice (read: expensive) antiques, crosses, paintings, framed art, personalized merchandise...more like a bizarre in my book rather than flea market. I just wasn't really interested in any of it at the time (which was good because hardly any of the booths in the Arbors or Pavilion were open)- I drove 215 miles for junk, and there just wasn't that much I liked at a price I was willing to pay. It also seemed to me that the prices were pretty high; maybe I hyped Canton up so much that my expectations were unrealistic? Other factors that probably contributed to my disappointment include how early I went, how hot it was, and the simple fact that it is August. Maybe a lot of vendors skip out on this one? I would love to hear about others' experiences and perhaps you can convince me to give First Monday Trade Days another try in the hopefully much cooler future.      

Nonetheless, I am so glad I went. I had a good time exploring on the way there and on the way home, I still found lots of goodies at my fun stops, and I came home with the golden thrones. 

And now for a few pictures of Barn Chic Antiques:

This great dresser is from somewhere between Corsicana and Athens...

Would love to know from those of you who have been if my experience was typical for Canton or not...

As always, thanks for reading.

Have a chic week!

~Sarah

The road to Canton (with pictures!)

This week marked my maiden voyage to the First Monday Trade Days in Canton, TX. I figured August would be the perfect time to experience this mecca flea market - I would be the only crazy shopper enduring the 108 degree day, right? In my defense, I figured it was now or not again until next summer since I will be back to school in just a few weeks. Many fellow vendors told me to hit the show prior to opening day as many show dealers set up as early as Monday prior to the first Monday of the month. 

So I ventured out on Tuesday; it wasn't early, but it was bright. I didn't have a real agenda for the day, but planned to stay in Canton that evening and then get up to hit the show on Wednesday morning. Canton is about 215 miles from Austin and people say it takes roughly 4 hours to get there. Um, it took me nearly 8 hours. I left at 9:45 and got there at 5:30. No, there wasn't any hold up on I-35 this time, and I was excited that half of the trip wasn't even on 35. There were just way too many awesome stores to shop along the way!   

The very first stop on my journey was the touristy town of Salado. I hadn't actually shopped Salado since Barn Chic Antiques was born, and sadly I didn't get to shop any antique stores this time either since all the ones I attempted to visit are closed on Tuesdays. You just never know with this industry - some are closed on Mondays, others on Sundays, some on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and a few are only open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. In case you are headed that way, avoid Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Salado. 

So I kept on and made it less than 10 miles before stopping in Belton. I really loved the displays and treasures here at the Moore Garrett & Co Antique Mall/Belton Antique Mall. This place is huge - two full stories in a beautiful old building downtown.  

 

 

 

 

 

On the road again... the next town that distracted me: Lorena. It turns out that this teeny tiny town on the west side of I-35 has quite the cute little downtown. I only went to the antique mall, Center Street Antiques, but really wish I visited the shop pictured here with the great porch.   

There are a few boutiques as well.

The antique mall looks very inviting! I found the flatware I was on the hunt for here at a great price.

I actually managed to get another 45 miles before I made my next stop. (Well, technically I went through the Starbucks drive through in Waco, but I didn't get out of the car, so that doesn't count as a stop. It was a very memorable drive through experience as the car in front of me purchased my drink - how cool is that? I have heard of this but it has never happened to me and I need to make sure to 'pay it forward!) 

I was disappointed that a store I wanted to visit in Waco is closed on both Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but Roger and Diane of Blends recommended I stop at the Hubbard Antique Mall. I spent quite a bit of time browsing through this spacious facility. I also worked up quite a sweat in this un-air-conditioned building - it was 105 when I was there. This of course made me fearful of how hot I would be in Canton since just shopping indoors was making me sweat. I just loved looking at their large warehouse of consignment furniture and found some very fun pieces. 

This antique is elegant and comfortable - there is a teddy bear taking a nap on the couch. 

Gotta love the Texas flag. I think of my friend Meegan every time I see a TX flag on the wall since she had one in her dorm room  across the hall from me freshman year! 

Orange is awesome.

Wish I had a reason for this pair! They seem so very 'Junk Gypsy.'

I left Hubbard with a few finds. My next stop was in Corsicana at Sonic; it was happy hour when I was there and I have never seen such a hoppin' Sonic! There wasn't even a drive-up spot available and I had to circle the building twice to find one.

I guess all the people from Malakoff were at the Sonic in Corsicana. JK.
It is just so sad to see great old buildings in little towns vacant.
There are a few good shops in this town though.

And finally, I get to Canton. I enjoy an early dinner, watch some great Olympics, and set my alarm early for the next day. Speaking of setting an alarm, I have our back to school coaching meeting early tomorrow morning, so I better hit the hay! Stay tuned for my take on my first Canton Trade Days....

Have a chic week,

~Sarah

The road to Canton

This week marked my maiden voyage to the First Monday Trade Days in Canton, TX. I figured August would be the perfect time to experience this mecca flea market - I would be the only crazy shopper enduring the 108 degree day, right? In my defense, I figured it was now or not again until next summer since I will be back to school in just a few weeks. Many fellow vendors told me to hit the show prior to opening day as many show dealers set up as early as Monday prior to the first Monday of the month. 

So I ventured out on Tuesday; it wasn't early, but it was bright. I didn't have a real agenda for the day, but planned to stay in Canton that evening and then get up to hit the show on Wednesday morning. Canton is about 215 miles from Austin and people say it takes roughly 4 hours to get there. Um, it took me nearly 8 hours. I left at 9:45 and got there at 5:30. No, there wasn't any hold up on I-35 this time, and I was excited that half of the trip wasn't even on 35. There were just way too many awesome stores to shop along the way!   

The very first stop on my journey was the touristy town of Salado. I hadn't actually shopped Salado since Barn Chic Antiques was born, and sadly I didn't get to shop any antique stores this time either since all the ones I attempted to visit are closed on Tuesdays. You just never know with this industry - some are closed on Mondays, others on Sundays, some on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and a few are only open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. In case you are headed that way, avoid Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Salado. 

So I kept on and made it less than 10 miles before stopping in Belton. I really loved the displays and treasures here at the Belton Antique Mall. This place is huge - two full stories in a beautiful old building downtown.  

 

 

 

 

 

On the road again; the next town that distracted me: Lorena. It turns out that this teeny tiny town on the west side of I-35 has quite the cute little downtown. I only went to the antique mall, Center Street Antiques, but really wish I visited the shop pictured here with the great porch.   

There are a few little boutiques as well. 

The antique mall looks very inviting! I found the flatware I was on the hunt for here at a great price.

I actually managed to get almost another 45 miles before I made my next stop. (Well, technically I went through the Starbucks drive through in Waco, but I didn't get out of the car, so that doesn't count as a stop. It was a very memorable drive through experience as the car in front of me purchased my drink - how cool is that? I have heard of this but it has never happened to me and I need to make sure to 'pay it forward!) 

I was disappointed that a store I wanted to visit in Waco is closed on both Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but Roger and Diane of Blends recommended I stop at the Hubbard Antique Mall. I spent quite a bit of time browsing through this spacious facility. I also worked up quite a sweat in this un-air-conditioned building - it was 105 when I was there. This of course made me fearful of how hot I would be in Canton since just shopping indoors was making me sweat. I just loved looking at their large warehouse of consignment furniture and found some very fun pieces. 

This piece is elegant and comfortable - there is a teddy bear taking a nap on the couch. 

Gotta love the Texas flag. I think of my friend Meegan every time I see a TX flag on the wall since she had one in her dorm room  across the hall from me freshman year! 

Orange is awesome. 

Wish I had a reason for this pair! They seem so very 'Junk Gypsy.'

I left Hubbard with a few finds. My next stop was in Corsicana at Sonic; it was happy hour when I was there and I have never seen such a hoppin' Sonic! There wasn't even a drive-up spot available and I had to circle the building twice to find one.  

I guess all the people from Malakoff were at the Sonic in Corsicana. JK.
It is just so sad to see great old buildings in little towns vacant.
There are a few good shops in this town though.

And finally, I get to Canton. I enjoy an early dinner, watch some great Olympics, and set my alarm early for the next day. Speaking of setting an alarm, I have our back to school coaching meeting early tomorrow morning, so I better hit the hay! Stay tuned for my take on my first Canton Trade Days....

Have a chic week,

~Sarah