Arizona’s Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market expands to the Bay Area
One of the nation's hottest draws for collectors — the Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market — will come to the Bay Area for the first time July 21-22.
Founded by Arizona friends and flea market devotees Coley Arnold and Lindsey Holt, this market has drawn huge crowds in Los Angeles, San Diego and its hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona.
About 75 top-drawer dealers will assemble with their best “chippy, rusty, vintage and handmade” goods at Richmond's Craneway Pavilion. The venue itself is a vintage marvel, having been transformed from being part of the oldest Ford automotive plant on the West Coast into an events space with waterfront views.
With its “creatively curated” spaces, the Junk in the Trunk show is noted for giving visitors a wealth of ideas and prodding them to think outside the box. For example, you may see aluminum pails juxtaposed with clay flower pots and antique garden ornaments. Or classic ironstone from the 19th century mixed with 1960s Pyrex pieces, placed on stylish French bistro tables. A neat weather-ravaged barn door might be repurposed as indoor décor for a jawdropping entryway.
The market also features live music, food and beverages.
DETAILS >> Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at the Craneway Pavilion, 1414 Harbour Way South, Richmond. Early-bird admission (8-9 a.m.), $20 in advance until July 16 or $25 at the door. Admission, $8; free for kids 12 and under. Parking, $10. Monies raised help send youths to family camp. junkinthetrunkvintagemarket.com
Shop around at nonprofits
The Junior League of Palo Alto-Mid Peninsula has an upscale resale emporium in Menlo Park that two readers introduced me to not long ago. The store — it's been around since 1970 — has a selection of women's new and vintage clothing, including hats and handbags. I noticed a big bin of framed artworks, silverplated pieces, pottery, china and crystal. It all glistened.
DETAILS >> 785 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park. Hours, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 650-328-7467. Parking can be tight, but persevere. Perhaps you'll be rewarded with a treasure.
Across the street, discover Goodwill, where the shopper has an array of merchandise to sift through. Clothing and housewares abound. Prices at this Peninsula location may be higher here than other Goodwill locations, but the selection is varied.
DETAILS: 711 SANTA CRUZ AVE., MENLO PARK. HOURS >> 9 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, except 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays. 650-324-9380.
In San Francisco
A friend and colleague introduced me to a special pair of shops in the Fillmore district of San Francisco. I will go back.
Repeat Performance — such a fitting name! — benefits the San Francisco Symphony. We got a 19th-century Gaudy pattern pitcher, a statue of a bird by Stangl, bocce balls, stone fruit sculptures, bowls, books, note cards and T-shirts. The prices and selection were amazing. The staff was eager to help and very friendly.
DETAILS >> 2436 Fillmore St., San Francisco. Hours, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday. 415-563-3123.
Nearby, find a place with another catchy name. Seconds To Go raises scholarship funds for two Catholic schools. On view is a variety of clothing, books, jewelry, sporting goods and household wares. I spotted 12 colorful antique Copeland soup plates for the bargain price of $100.
DETAILS >> 2252 Fillmore St., San Francisco. Hours, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. 415-563-7806.