What’s Your Sign?

I found this sign out in the Flea Market last week. The colors attracted me first. And, of course, the big orange “LOOK” demands a certain action. I obeyed. I took the picture because I thought it was interesting, but then I got a little closer and actually read it. I started to feel a little convicted. I read it again.

It doesn’t say “be happy.” It says, “be SO happy.”

I consider myself to be a happy person. But does it show on my face? And if it does, are other people inspired to to be happy too just because they saw me? I would love to do that for the people who happen to pass by. There are plenty of grumpy people to adversely affect the moods of humanity. Just think what it could do to our world if we all walked around being SO happy that others would become happy too just because they were in the same vicinity!

I’m wondering if the vendor who hung this sign in an obvious place in the Flea Market was motivated by his or her desire to make the world a better place. It worked on me!

For that I say thank you! From now on I’m going to remember to tell my face to get its “happy” on!

You just never know who might notice!

It takes a Village!

Perhaps you’ve been to the Flea Market lately and you’ve noticed people walking around with walkie talkies on their hips or maybe you’ve heard the static-y squawk of a request for help in one area or another. Hopefully you haven’t, as we would like your visit to be without awareness of what it takes behind the scenes to make this thing happen every week. But like a huge choreographed circus, you may be interested to know that it takes a village of employees to make the magic of the Flea Market come to life every Tuesday and Wednesday. From the moment the parking attendant in the bright orange t-shirt greets you and hands you your parking pass, you can be sure that the entire staff is dedicated to making your visit here a pleasant one.

There’s the friendly guy in the information booth who will help you find your way around and give you an opportunity to fill out a form to win something through our hourly drawings. And the knowledgable lady in the Flea Market Office. She’s really handy when “you bought something here three years ago and do you know if that vendor is still here?” Then there’s the army of workers who endure the heat in all of the carry-outs and the Auction Restaurant who serve up all of that good old-fashioned down home cooking you enjoy when your stomach and your nose agree that they need to come to a mutually satisfying conclusion! And, of course, we are so grateful for those who do those disagreeable tasks of cleaning the bathrooms and emptying the tons of trash! What would we do without them?! From answering the phones, greeting the buses, providing electricity, washing the dishes, changing the toilet paper and a whole lot of other tasks no one really recognises but are imperative to happy shoppers, we know, we couldn’t do it without them!

It takes a village and many working hands. Not one of them is more important than the other, and they all bring their unique gifts and abilities to create the wonder of the Shipshewana Flea Market!

See you at the Market!

People Watching at the Flea Market

I don’t know about you but I love to “people watch.” It is a great way to pass the time and appreciate how different we all are. There are certain places that are especially good for passing the time observing people. My personal favorites are the mall, the zoo (I know, it’s wierd, I’m there to see the animals), and the Shipshewana Flea Market. It’s really anywhere there are large crowds. With thousands of visitors every week from all over the world, the Market is the place to sit back, have a hot pretzel, and enjoy the view!

There are people who come with their families, people who come with their dogs, people who shop ’til they drop (literally!), and people who browse to their heart’s content. Of course, they come in all shapes and sizes, ethnics, styles, and vehicles. They arrive by car, bus, RV, truck, bicycle and on foot!

The variety of product attracts a variety of people. But as different as we all are, there are even more ways we are the same. We all LOVE a bargain! We all LOVE to eat! We all LOVE our families! And we all LOVE the sleeping babies in the wagons and strollers. (Much preferred to the screaming ones!) Funny how bumping along on the gravel in a stroller seems to lull them all to sleep eventually.

We’ve been asked where all these people come from, and it is quite fascinating. Some are locals who come every week. We love our locals! But we’ve also enjoyed visitors from every state in the U.S. and from as far away as Australia, Germany, Africa, China and many other countries. The “word” is out! Shipshewana Flea Market is a worthy destination!

It’s obvious that there are many ways to enjoy the Flea Market. Shopping, eating and watching people. We do provide “people watching” areas in the Market for people like me. It does seem though that the majority of the time these areas tend to be primarily occupied by men waiting for their shopping wives. We are happy to accommodate them!

They travel all the way from Australia!

Someone I know likes to refer to the town of Shipshewana as “Shop”-shewana because that’s what people love to do here.

But while it’s true that the Flea Market, auctions and all the unique shops in town offer almost endless shopping, this town is more than that.

I was reminded of that last week when I stopped in my friend’s business downtown. He was telling the adjacent shop owner the story of how he and his wife met and eventually married. As I listened to him tell his story, two tourists stopped to listen, too. One of the ladies contributed her own funny story and afterwards her friend commented, “This is why we love to come here… people don’t take the time to stop and talk where I’m from.”

It’s good to know we work in a town with a reputation for friendliness. Just ask the couple who travel all the way from Australia just to visit the flea market and downtown shops and stay in our RV Park … to experience it.

And it’s good to know we can also offer a neighborly experience to those who lose things at the Trading Place.

Sometimes we receive thank you notes for mailing items back to their owners. We received one such note last week after returning a Hanna Montana wallet to a 10-year-old girl. Her card read, “Thanks for sending me my wallet. I would have died if you didn’t find it.”

We’re so glad we prevented that from happening!

On the other hand, there are some things we can’t do, like “less rain” and “valet parking” as suggested on a few flea market comment slips. Unfortunately, our hands are a bit tied on those topics!

But just know we are happy to serve you and we’re doing our best to contribute to your “Shop”- shewana experience!

A great addition to your “Bucket List!”

I can think of a lot of good reasons to celebrate May!

The opening of the Shipshewana Flea Market is a very good one!

Tuesday’s opening day was beautifully sunny and warm and brought many smiling, good-natured people to check out the many booths at the flea market (we had approximately 80 percent of our 900-vendor capacity)

Once in a while we are asked why our flea market doesn’t carry local, hand-crafted items anymore. To answer that question, we have made a change to our 2013 Shipshewana Flea Market Guide this year. If you are looking in the Flea Market Guide and see a heart next to a listing, that indicates handmade items. We hope this clears up some of the confusion.

When I browsed the market Tuesday, I discovered one of those vendors offering handmade items. She had many hand-painted t-shirts with cute Shipshewana slogans that would make great souvenirs. She was very happy to be here, and I was happy to see her enjoying the perfect weather and the other vendors!

The booth across from hers displayed large, grill spatulas, which, of course. were not hand-made but engraved with names and logos of different sports teams, proving there ARE items for men to be found in the flea market … including tools and a booth dedicated entirely to sports teams!

Some other booths I noticed were the jumbo jelly beans (a yearly favorite), a fabric booth with a beautiful assortment, and a popular booth with engraved and painted outdoor stones.

Yes, if you are looking for socks, sunglasses and shoes, you are sure to find an assortment of those, too, as well as jewelry, clothing, cosmetics, flags, pet items, books and much more.

And let’s not forget the variety of produce and beautiful plants and flowers to be discovered! Check out these beautiful roses:

And if you’re looking for food, I passed a fudge booth very conveniently located next to one of the rest areas. Great idea!

Of course there’s more than just fudge … I also saw elephant ears, homemade ice cream (made on the spot) and hot, soft pretzels.

I observed all that in just a short half hour. Imagine what you would find if you spent an entire day here!

So if you’re making a bucket list, or any kind of list for that matter, be sure “Visit Shipshewana Flea Market” is on it!

 

Sun, Spring and Shopping!

April is always exciting around here.

The sun is finally out, outside temperatures are rising (62 degrees tomorrow… hallelujah!), and we’re busy preparing for another tourist season.

Several people are stopping in the office to learn how to become a vendor. Freight companies are dropping off shipments. Teens are looking for summer employment. And we’re getting A LOT of the same question.

You know what that means, don’t you?

Yep … Shipshewana Flea Market!

For those of you who have never experienced this seasonal event now is the time. So far we are about 85 percent filled to vendor capacity, and that makes for a pretty good opening day … May 7!

Yes, TUESDAY, MAY 7, IS OPENING DAY, 8 AM TO 5 PM.

So come see us. We look forward to your visit!

Aisles and aisles of unique merchandise …

Leashed four-legged friends are also welcome!

Shopping St seems to be an appropriate name for the Flea Market!

Wonderful hand-crafted items for your home or yard

Lots and lots of good food to taste!

Come here and shop for your spring planting

Not sure what’s caught their attention but the flea market offers entertainment for everyone!

Come on, Spring!

Judging by the fat snow flurries blowing around outside yesterday, it seems rather ridiculous that I heard a bird singing one early morning last week.

And it seemed rather ridiculous at the time since it was dark and … well …  I was shoveling snow … in March.

But, this is Indiana and stranger things have happened, especially when it comes to the weather.

Thankfully, the sun did come out at least three days last week, and it’s here again today, hopefully to stay!

Birds and sun in the middle of March make for one big smile! We will ignore the fact we’ve had blizzard-like snow for the past three Tuesdays in a row. Instead, we’ll be optimistic like that bird and believe spring is peeking its very welcome face around the corner!

So hooray for birds!

Hooray for the warm sun coming out and melting the snow and that soon we will no longer hear the loud, “jet taking off” sound of melting snow sliding off the office roof!

And hooray that in just about 8 more weeks Shipshewana Flea Market will once again open and bring with it warm May sunshine, a lot more singing birds, and happy smiles!

For a change of pace …

It’s no secret that, in addition to the Shipshewana Flea Market, we are well-known for our antique auctions. And if you thrive in the loud and fast-paced atmosphere of eight to ten auctioneers selling simultaneously at the Miscellaneous & Antique Auction, that’s just the place for you!

But if you want a slower, relaxed atmosphere while shopping for antiques, you might want to visit our Antique Gallery across the street, nestled just north of the Farmstead Inn and behind our new Trading Place Pavilion.

It’s not loud and it’s not fast, just quietly elegant … and big – 2-story big with 31,000 square feet and over 100 vendors!

You will find a huge selection of quality antiques while you leisurely stroll the clean aisles. You’ll also find Elsie, who’s been there since it opened in 1998, and the rest of the friendly staff available when you need them.

So if you’re looking for a slower and relaxed atmosphere and perhaps something new to do while waiting for the Flea Market to open (May 7th), check out the Antique Gallery, Monday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm, now through April, and 9am to 6pm, May through October.

Rare Victorian Style Stained Glass Window

1900s Japanese Whistle Cups

Fire Bell from the 1930-40s

For more information on these antiques and a sampling of more, visit http://www.rubylane.com/shop/tradingplaceantiqu

It all started with 6 pigs and 7 cows …

Yesterday a caller said he stumbled upon our Web page while doing an Internet search for flea markets. Apparently the small town he is from has an unimpressive flea market.  He said he is impressed by the quality of Shipshewana Flea Market and amazed by the enormity of it. I explained the other facets of our business and he wondered how we grew to be so large and successful.

So here’s the story:

In 1922 a man named George Curtis sold six pigs, seven cows and several head of young cattle at his home. His auction business grew so quickly that four years later he built a barn at the same location. He saw a need for a restaurant, so in 1930 he opened one in his garage.

George sold the business in 1946 to Fred Lambright, who, a year later, built a new sale barn (where we are presently located). At that time people sold flea market items out of their car trunks, so a roof was built for the flea market. In 1950, Fred built an Auction Restaurant on the premises, which seated 50-60 people.

Fred’s nephew, Walter Schrock, bought the auction in 1961 and expanded the flea market grounds in 1968.

1960s Flea Market (photo by Leonard Haarer)

The market grew from 100 to 400 vendors, and the antique auction increased from 4 to 10 auctioneers. In 1978, a 200’ x 80’ building was built for the antique auction and then was enclosed in the fall of 1980 and included a snack bar.

Fred Lambright’s son and grandsons, Robert, Keith and Kevin, purchased the auction in 1981. In 1984, they expanded the flea market to 1000 spaces and the restaurant to seat 110 people. Four years later they built a new restaurant (our current one, which seats 250). The old restaurant was renovated into the corporate offices.

In 1992, Robert Lambright lost a battle with cancer, leaving Keith and Kevin to run the business.

In 1997, the Lambrights expanded the business to include an 85-room hotel,  the Farmstead Inn, which was built across the street from the auction. A year later, the 31,000 sq. ft. Antique Gallery was built next door to the Farmstead Inn. Then in 2004, 69 rooms and a 15,000 sq. ft. Conference Center were added to the Farmstead Inn.

In 2008, an RV Park with 70 full hook-up sites opened on the south side of the flea market.

In 2010, the corporate office building was torn down (old restaurant building) and a section of the Livestock Auction building was rebuilt into the corporate offices. Looking around, it’s hard to believe that our offices were once pig pens!

Finally, in the early spring of 2012, the 9300 sq. ft. Trading Place Pavilion was built on the lawn in front of the Antique Gallery. The Pavilion quickly became home to a summer Farmer’s Market and our Antique Markets and was also rented for a Gospel Music Jam concert. This year we are excited it will be used for upcoming concerts and weddings.

A lot has changed in 90 years!

“Changing of the Guard” of Seasons

I woke up this morning to a cold, blustery fall day, leaves furiously thrown about by some serious gusts of wind. And it occurred to me that just the other day I praised this wind for so generously gathering the leaves into a neat pile right in front of my garage door.

Then I remembered I never got around to picking up that pile. Whoops …

You’re right … I’m not praising the wind anymore as I now have some unwanted guests taking up residence in my garage!

It reminds me of a line from the classic book, Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day:

“I don’t mind the leaves that are leaving; it’s the leaves that are coming.” – Piglet

Sometimes, despite our efforts to stay on top of the leaf situation before winter arrives (and I don’t mean jumping on top of the leaf pile!), the leaves seem to be winning!

And so it goes … this inevitable and somewhat futile exercise leading to the “changing of the guard” of seasons.

Here at the Trading Place, those strong winds seem to usher in our “changing of the guard” of seasons as well. For us, it means the flea market comes to an end (tomorrow and Wednesday are the last days) and we switch gears to some exciting, upcoming events occurring soon for the holidays.

This Saturday will be an Antiques & Collectibles Show held in the Miscellaneous/Antique Auction Barn from 9 am to 5 pm. And next week, we will hold an Antique Specialty Auction, with better quality items, sold in conjunction with our regular Misc. & Antique Auction. We will also host the “Evening at the Gallery” Open House, Nov. 9, at the Antique Gallery, 6 to 8 pm, a fun night with lots of snacks, discounts and door prizes. All are great events to attend to get a jump-start on your Christmas shopping.

So take a break from the yard work and come on out and enjoy yourselves … because it can grow tiresome trying to fight those leaves!