I showed up last Saturday at 7 AM. The market wasn't officially open yet. Sellers were still unloading vans and hanging things on racks. One guy let me look through a box he hadn't unpacked. Found a 1970s leather belt for $5 before he even put a price on it.
The morning light was gray. Cold for April. My coffee went cold before I finished it. Hemingway was home sleeping on my pillow. I should have stayed in bed. Glad I didn't.
What's New This Season
Three new jewelry sellers have shown up. One specializes in 1980s chunky stuff. Big plastic earrings, heavy necklaces, the kind of thing your mom wore in old photos. Another does silver only. Mostly 1960s and 1970s. Priced fair.
The vintage sports apparel guy is back. Corner spot near the bathroom. Last fall he had a rack of 1990s starter jackets. This spring he brought more denim. Mostly 80s and early 90s. I saw a pair of Levi's 501s that looked barely worn. Size too big for me. Someone else will be happy.
The food situation changed. New coffee cart near the entrance. Better coffee than last year. Less waiting. That matters when you're carrying bags and it's cold.
What I Found
A 1960s ceramic ashtray for $8
I don't smoke. Never have. But the color was perfect. Seafoam green. No chips. The woman selling it said it was her grandmother's. I believed her.
It's on my desk now. Holds paper clips.
A 1980s linen blazer for $22
The shoulders are wider than I'd usually wear. The color is a weird tan. Not beige. Not brown. Somewhere in between. I tried it on three times before deciding. Bought it.
Took it home. Tried it on again. Still not sure. But I have all spring to figure it out.
A handful of old buttons for $3
Plastic bin on the floor under a table. A ziploc bag full of mismatched buttons. Pearl ones. Wood ones. A few that look like brass. I picked out the best ten. Didn't even need them. Just liked looking through.
What I Kept
The ashtray sits on my desk. Hemingway knocked it off once. Didn't break. Must be good luck.
The blazer is hanging on the back of my kitchen chair. I look at it every morning. One day I'll wear it out. Probably.
The buttons went into my button jar. That jar is getting full. One day I'll actually use them. Or I won't. Either way, they were $3 well spent.
What's the best small thing you've ever found at a market? Tell me in the comments.
