Why Buy ANTIQUES / VINTAGE?

Do you ever wonder why so many seek out antiques and/or vintage items rather than buy new? I’m sure there are great number of reasons, but I’ve attempted to set out my thoughts on the wonderful world of antique/vintage shopping.

Generally, you get better quality. When these vintage products were made, craftsman and workers found true pride in producing a quality item. And, while not all items are perfect, part of the uniqueness may be that imperfection.

Made in USA? Yes, most vintage and antiques items we find locally were made in the United States, however a majority of our current home decor/goods are now made in China or Asian countries, using low quality materials. Don’t we say it all the time, “well, they just don’t make it like they used to!” There is a lot of truth to that, despite lots of small businesses and craftsman trying to make a come back by producing goods locally.

Better value - generally, you can find home decor, dishes, etc. much less expensively in a vintage market. For example, a set of four green glass bowls sold by a very popular cooking show host runs approximately $16 from a big “W” box store. Despite being “designed” in the USA to have a vintage look, they are made in China, however a set of very similar, but truly vintage green glass bowls in our store could easily be half that price, and probably better quality! Sometimes, you will pay more for items which are highly sought after as collectible, but that’s because the quality is so much better and people have discovered those items are worth the money - but a little harder to find!

The love of the history or nostalgia of items. Maybe your mother, father, grandparents or someone from your past had an item that you always admired, but another family member received that item as an inheritance, or the item was sold or lost. You decide to find a duplicate of that item to bring back fond memories, so you begin your treasure hunt. Maybe these are now items your children will treasure and be passed on for many generations. You might discover it’s a lot of fun and it becomes a passion!

It supports local business and boosts local economy. Each dealer in the market is within itself a small business and though most dealers are in this business for the love of it, some do use this opportunity to supplement their income.

Looking for a clock, lamps/light fixtures, dishes, glasses, vases, paintings, prints, frames, buckets, planters, fabric, aprons, tables, chairs, linens, or other decorative items? Vintage markets have those, with lots of varieties of each! Most of the items are pre-1980s and the quality is simply better!

Collecting is a big part of shopping vintage also. Many people feel it’s a lot of fun to find a pattern of dishes they want to collect or use and then go on the hunt for them! Take a friend or family member and walk down memory lane while you are on that treasure hunt.

Maybe you’re creative and you learn that you can find pieces of history to combine and create something useful or decorative! Vintage markets are full of pieces of old furniture, architecture, tools, industrial, farm and other interesting items...all just waiting to be repurposed into something fun and amazing!

Buying antique or vintage is a great way to recycle, upcycle, reduce and reuse, but not everyone who buys antiques or vintage is concerned about recycling. Many simply enjoy the history of the item(s), the beautiful quality, the uniqueness, and never consider how they truly are helping our environment - win/win! Maybe you don’t take the time to recycle paper, glass, plastic and other materials, but you can certainly feel good about shopping in an antique/vintage market because you are giving back to your community and planet Earth in a variety of ways.

Lastly, you can meet the nicest people shopping in vintage markets! If you are shopping vintage, almost everyone you meet has something in common with you, because they appreciate antique and vintage finds for one of the reasons you do. So, invite a family member or friend to join you on a fun day of searching for those treasures which reach out or speak to you for many different reasons. Stop by Freakin’ Antiquin’ Vintage Market in Springfield, Missouri, tell us you saw this article, buy a cup of Freakin’ Good Coffee and enjoy a stroll in our store!

Happy “Hunting” Friends,

Melissa @ #FreakinAntiquinVintageMarket

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