Spring 2011 at Warrenton

We have survived another Warrenton show at Cole's Antique Market. For those of you who haven't yet visited us there, my wife Sandi and I are on "Waco Dr" in Cole's in Warrenton, booths 128 and 142 (directly across from each other).. Business was great and traffic was up!! It was a record show for us, with major contributions from Sandi's booth. Our single largest item was the sale of a King Ranch tack box, once used on the King Ranch. We also sold a really cool English-made Jockey scale with wood frame. I did great with old Texas and Republic of Texas documents. It was great to see so many of our regular customers! Everyone was having a good time! I think most vendors had good shows, but there were a few that did not do well, even with good merchandise. There was quite a large crowd that attended our traditional Tuesday night wine tasting in Cole's, and we did a good bit of business.

Cole's has really become the finest free show during Antique Week. The merchandise is priced right, and is every bit as fine as the stuff in the shows where you have to pay to enter the show and/or park. There is a wide variety of goods including our Texas books and Texas/western/cowboy "stuff", antique clocks, Texas crocks antique toys, furniture, jewelry, linens, glassware, and many more items. I even heard a rumor that at the next show the Flow Blue Boys are moving to Cole's from La Bahia!

We had great meals at Dempsey's in Round Top (the chicken fried steak is some of the best we've ever eaten), and the J W Steak House in Carmine. Sandi and I highly recommend the bone-in filet there! We also enjoyed cooking in our little trailer where we stay during the show. Actually, the trailer was bigger than the last show. Our hosts had moved the old trailer to their deer lease, and bought one a little larger for us to stay in. It sure made a difference in our comfort over the 12 nights we spent there.

Austin's Burnet Road Flea Market

For six years the Burnet Road Flea Market was held on the second and last Sundays of the month at 4800 Burnet Road, next to the Omelettry. Jenny at Get Back Vintage was the sponsor, and 20-50 vendors would show up for the events. Customers ranged from Tarrytown yuppies, to UT students, to street people. The bargain shoppers and serious collectors would be there shopping at daylight, and then the after-church crowd would be there in the afternoon. Chuck would entertain the crowd playing his clarinet and every once in a while someone would show up with a guitar! It was a great venue with everything from furniture, collectables, clothing, records, coins, books, and bicycles. There were no rules, except that the merchandise had to pass the "family" test. We would all go home about 4, or earlier in the summer.

Sadly, because of parking, etc, the market had to stop a while back. Now it is ready to reopen, again under Jenny's leadership, on the same site as the Burnet Road Farmer's Market at 6701 Burnet Rd! The first event will be held on Sunday, May 15! My wife Sandi and I may just be there to shop this month, but it will be great to see Ray, Carl, Susan, Lloyd. Come by and shop the eclectic selection of goods or just experience the fun!!! The Flea Market will probably open from 8-4. Come early and shop hard!!! GREAT DEALS!

Austin Book Show

I just finished the Austin Book Show, and it was a good one. There were lots of people, especially on Saturday, and they were buying. I saw a lot of regular customers who were ready to buy, and to discuss books. Now the challenge is to go out and replace the excellent items that I sold.