Columbus Arts & Vintage Marketplace

I'm going to have to agree with Ann S-a little disappointed. I love the idea but this "marketplace" needed A LOT more vendors to justify the drive and the $5 admission price.First off, the facts. Every month starting in June the Aladdin Shrine Center off Stelzer (near Easton Mall) hosts a "GO-TO monthly market of local, vintage, antiques, upcycled" etc, etc vendors in their main stage area. June 22, July 13, Aug 23, Sept 13 and Oct 19 (thus far.) For me it was too flea market and not enough antique market. The handmade and upcycled items were nice, but there was too much of it.Food truckers were outside in the side parking lot, which was nice: Mojo Tago, Red Snapper Mobile, Mai Chau, and My Place or Yours. Seating for eating was available inside. There was also a bar. Yep, a bar-beer and liquor. They actually had $2 CBC IPA pints. Uh, yeah, keep them coming. Not because I love it so but needed some liquid courage to keep going. The advertised "live music" was a DJ on the stage "turning" hits from 60's, 70s and 80s...."Bartender, two more pints please!"Kidding aside, hopefully the upcoming shows will grow, especially the closer we get to the Holiday season. Check out their updated Facebook page for announcements and photos from previous shows.

Words cannot express how much I wanted to love this. A handful of vendors all in one spot so I can get my vintage on? Yes, please! But when I have to pay admission for something like this, I expect that at minimum the place that was rented out will be full. That was not the case. The first show I went to was maybe 70% full and while there were different vendors from primitive to upcycled to tables made from reclaimed wood (awesome!) to a guy selling bones and creepy items, it somehow felt like it was not worth the price of admission. Okay, so maybe the first show was new and it needed to find its groove so I'll give it another chance. Well, there were *fewer* vendors at the next show and they added tables for people to sit down and have drinks or eat to make it appear like more space was filled. I don't know that I can justify shelling out admission again if the place isn't at capacity. I might go to the last one since it'll be closer to the start of holiday shopping and hope more people have signed up by then before I make my final decision. I am glad to see the opportunity for something like this in town though but I hope it picks up a little steam especially when you have something like the Scott Antiques Market that rolls around and is free admission and 4-5x the size.

My trip was successful. Found an 8-drawer Broyhill Premier dresser just inside the doors for a great price!