Trade Days Time Remaining

Flea markets are some of the best places to buy, sell, and trade previously-owned or second-hand goods.  The whole idea comes from the notion that someone has something they no longer need, but it’s still perfectly useful.   

In Australia, flea markets are called “trash and treasure markets”.

So, why not sell it to someone else that might need it?  It is a great way to repurpose and reuse those things that might otherwise end up in the trash.  There are even a number of community waste recycles that sponsor and host flea markets around the country.  It helps keep stuff out of their waste stream and actually saves them money.  

Whether you are looking to minimize your impact on the environment through thriftiness or are just looking for a good old-fashioned deal on a quality antique, flea markets can allow you to accomplish both goals at the same time.  

These days recycled, upcycled, reclaimed, vintage, antique, repurposed, and distressed are all fashion words. “Distressed furniture”.  “Reclaimed wood table”. “Vintage jeans”.  “Repurposed pot rack”.  They are all fancy words for “used”.  And that’s not a bad thing.  People are recognizing the value of older items and realizing that they can sometimes have better quality, and save some hard earned cash, when they shop for used goods.  Grandma’s old cast iron skillet at the flea market can be a steal and will surely last another generation or two.

Canton First Monday Trade Days is much more than a simple flea market.  It features vendors with custom and hand made goods along with those selling more traditional fare. There are of course many vendors that specialize in finding old furniture, cookware, fishing poles, and even fine China dinnerware, and making them available for sale.  

Handmade Texas seashell turtles

For the “authentic” flea market experience at Canton First Monday Trade Days, look to the fields.
This is where you’ll find the smaller vendors with pop-up canopies selling just about anything you can imagine.

If antiques and collectibles are your focus, then the Civic Center is a good place to start.  Goods currently available for wholesale or retail sale are not allowed and at least 80% of what a vendor has for sale must be 20 years old.  Expect the prices to be a little higher there.   

Antiques and second-hand goods not really what you are looking for?  No problem.  Canton First Monday Trade Days has plenty of vendors that offer new items from furniture to clothing to housewares for sale.  The Pavilion and Arbors are two great places to look for items that are brand new.

It doesn’t really matter your reason for shopping flea markets or Canton First Monday Trade days: saving money or saving the world. The fact is that it just makes good sense . . . and good fun.  You never know exactly what you’ll find.  Even if you are just window shopping, you’ll still be able to put your imagination to good use.

Find your favorite Canton First Monday Trade Days vintage/antique/recycle/flea market/upcycle vendor with the Canton Shopping Guide.