Antique Malls! Honestly, they are the absolute best way to enter the second hand arena! When you go to a thrift store, estate sale, yard sale- you never know if you're walking into a treasure chest or a junk room. Now, of course, antique malls CAN be the same way- but because there are multiple vendors (sometimes even 100s) you are bound to find some treasures. My Mom had a booth growing up so I spent a chunk of my childhood complaining (isn’t it funny how times have changed) while my Mom brought me along to her booth. I’ve even had two of my own booths- I closed the second one right before I had my first daughter.
Antique Malls/Vendor Malls are set up like a store, with each vendor having a booth area where they stage and set up their goods. They also tag them with their price and usually their vendor code- this is for the front desk to know where you bought it. *Sidenote: Be a nice shopper and if you change your mind on an item go put it back where you found it- it's not like Target where the employees are going to go restock. If you put something down in a random booth the original owner will first be excited it sold, then sad when they don't see it on their sale list, then angry when they think someone stole it.*
Imagine an Antique Mall like Target- you go in, get a shopping cart, browse the aisles, fill your cart with things you don't need- but instead of having that Starbucks coffee in your hand, you actually have a dog in your cart. Yes, you heard that right. I have no idea why it's "a thing" but it is.. you can bring little dogs in a cart. It's weird, I know. But I honestly see it almost every time. I should note I don't think this applies to bougee malls and until you get a feel for where you are I would recommend leaving your pooch at home.
Vendors are encouraged to come in frequently to bring new inventory (duh) but also to rearrange and clean up their booth. It’s amazing how you can keep the same stuff but your eye will spot completely different things with a new arrangement. When I had a booth, I would always go in for my refresh on Sunday afternoons or Mondays. I had my treasures I picked up during the weekend sales to bring in and would also need to freshen up from messy weekend shoppers. Because of this knowledge, the best time to shop antique malls is mid week- or really anytime other than the weekend. You’ll have less crowds, cleaner booths & first dibs at the newest inventory. But don’t ask me when I usually shop booths because it’s almost always the weekends- do as I say not as I do!
Two insider tips:
#1- Booths often have sales that they will advertise in their booth on little signs. With so much going on it can be easy to overlook these signs- so keep your eyes peeled! If you find something on sale, make sure to confirm it with the person checking you out. Antique Malls often use the old pen & paper method so unless they reference their handwritten sale list, they could unintentionally leave it off.
#2- If you find an item you love but you don’t love the price you can almost always negotiate. If it’s a small item, ask the front desk and there is usually a blanket 10% off they can offer you. Don’t be annoying and ask for 10% off on everything though- please! If it’s a big ticket item, say a $500 China Cabinet- you can ask the front desk to call the booth owner and present your offer- $350 or whatever. I promise the booth owner won’t be offended, because haggling is in their blood too!
*Sidenote- if an item says “Firm” on their price tag that means the price is firm and they will not allow any discount.
Now take your newfound Antique Vendor Mall knowledge and hit the streets! I promise there is no better way to spend an afternoon. A final picture of one of my early booths in 2015- boy has my style changed since then!
