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!

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!

Lost Items … Found Friends!

Those who have attended our weekly Miscellaneous & Antique Auction know that it moves along rather quickly. And although this time of year we are down to about 8 auctioneers, the pace is still pretty lively!

Sometimes in all the excitement people lose personal items or accidentally leave their purchases behind. We try our best to get those items back to their rightful owners!

Recently, someone left behind a camera at the auction and called the same day to notify us. As it turned out, someone else had found it and turned it into the office. Not much effort was required on our part … all we did was mail it.

So we were unexpectedly and pleasantly surprised to receive a thank you note … with a gift card attached.  The gentleman was so pleased to have his camera again. He even said we confirmed his opinion that “Shipshewana Auction is the best.”

What a wonderful way to start the day!  The fact that this nice man took the time to thank us just confirms OUR opinion that “our customers are the best!”

And it just goes to show that every little part of our business is important and that you are the ones who make it successful! So thank YOU!

If you’ve never been to our Miscellaneous & Antique Auction, check it out for yourself any Wednesday year-round at 9am (or earlier if you want to preview the items). We will be having a Folk Art Auction in conjunction with our regular Wednesday auction on Feb. 6 at 11 am.  For a list of other upcoming auctions, visit: http://www.tradingplaceamerica.com/auctions.php

Fun Antique Toys!

I’m not one for sitting around being nostalgic, but every now and then a memory from the past catches up to me.

It happened the other day when I was putting pictures on the Auction Zip Web site today’s for Antique Toy Auction at 9:30am.

Judging by the toy pictures, I guess there is a collectible toy for every personality.

And it reminded me of a childhood toy I used to have back in the 1970’s.

Before the first McDonald’s happy meal toys were created in 1979, a 7-inch squeezable rubber doll was pretty popular. I was a young child back then so I don’t remember much, but I do remember that I loved that doll! I especially loved poking his squishy belly!

I think you know him … The Pillsbury Doughboy!

And I think it’s pretty safe to say all of us have a favorite toy from our childhood.

So what’s yours?

An interesting morning at the antique auction …

About 9:30 this morning I took some time to stroll through the Miscellaneous/Antique Auction Barn to check out the sale. It’s hard to know what the auction is like unless you experience it for yourself.

Here’s what I experienced:

If you’re going to see anything,  you have to push your way through the crowd like a salmon going upstream, even if you work here!

 

 

If you can’t see the auctioneers you can definitely hear them — all 8 to 10 of them. Just follow their competing echoes.

 

 

 

If you’re wanting some quality parent/child time, the Antique auction can be a fascinating place to bond.

If you’re looking for a unique antique, you’ll probably find it here. Check out these interesting giraffes and the dog seemingly guarding an old Victrola!

If you’re looking for some interesting fall decor, you can find that too. These bright metal pumpkins caught my eye.

 

 

 

And if you’re really pooped after taking it all in, you can always just sit back and relax in a dependable radio flyer wagon.

But don’t take my word for it … come see for yourself!

Happy to report …

Back in April the new pavilion we were building on the Antique Gallery’s front lawn looked like this:

We’re excited to report it’s finished and now looks like this:

The Trading Place Pavilion was completed just in time for the Shipshewana Antique Market held this past Saturday from 7 am to 4 pm. Hundreds of people attended and were able to experience not only a beautiful variety of antiques but also the vast amount of space offered in the new pavilion.

 

 

 

 

 

So if you’re interested in renting our new pavilion for your special event or gathering, call us for rates and available dates, 260.768.4129.

In the meantime, come on out to the auction and flea market. It’s another beautiful day!!!

Antique toys and fun …

Last week while enjoying the warm weather I noticed a young couple and their child seizing the opportunity of a windy day and an extremely large kite.

It’s pretty rare these days to see families flying kites or even enjoying other simpler toys of days gone by. For some reason, it made me think of  radio flyer wagons, GI Joe action figures and toy trains. Go figure …

Where can you find some unique, antique toys these days? Well, you could check out the display at our upcoming Antique Toy Auction at 9 am on April 18, held in conjunction with our regular Wednesday Antique Auction. I’m not sure of all the varieties of toys that will be there, but I do know there will be several trains!

So if you’re in the mood or market for some older, “don’t make ‘em like they used to” toys, come on out.

And speaking of antiques, our Shipshewana Antique Markets in June and August will now be held in our new pavilion on the Antique Gallery Lawn.

It’s moving right along …

A Rare Find

I’ve heard it said that often you’ll find what you’re looking for when you’re not looking for it … a potential soul mate … a rare find in the beach sand … or the expensive earrings your young son bought you for your birthday which you reassured him you did not lose. (Yes, found them when I was looking for something else, thanks for asking!)

And sometimes you stumble across things that you weren’t even looking for like, for example, a Picasso painting.

Yes, that’s right; one of our vendors for our Wednesday antique auction recently brought a signed Picasso painting. A rare find, indeed!

So is it an original or is it an imitation?

You be the judge …

An extra day of thanks!

Hooray! Wednesday is Leap Day!

Okay, so I’m guessing for most people it’s just another day.

But for those who follow the 5^th century tradition of Ireland, it’s the day women can propose to men. That can be exciting, right?

For those born on it, it’s the day they finally get to celebrate their birthday on the actual day. That can be exciting, too!

For our customers, it’s one extra day to participate in the Wednesday livestock and antique auctions and to sample the excellent Amish cooking and pie of the Shipshewana Auction Restaurant.  It’s an extra day to browse the beautiful antique gallery and experience the hospitality of the Farmstead Inn.

Most importantly, it is an extra day to thank our wonderful customers.

So thank you for being a part of our family. We appreciate you more than you know!