McHaffie Flea Market – Morrisburg, Ontario
Fall was in the air and there was no shortage of vintage and antique treats at this sizeable flea market.
Upon entering I was astounded by the number of vendors and sheer selection of merchandise. Speaking of selection, there were so many walking paths to choose from [left, right, up and down] that I didn’t know where to start. What is superior about the McHaffie market is they can accommodate many people indoors which is a definite plus from both a browsing & buying standpoint especially when there are drizzles of rain and a cool breeze outside.
I stopped at every indoor space at least twice throughout the day in order to give everything a good up and down. I must admit, I am a scanner so I usually only go where my eyes take me first. It usually works in my favor because I find things I adore quickly.
Where did my eyes take me first you ask? They took me to a praiseworthy spot which happened to be stall #26, run by Karin Steenge. She had a dazzling array of retro kitchenware, magazines and single home furnishings. A few things that stood out to me were these smashing [yet sturdy] rose wine glasses and a round, multi-colour over the shoulder purse. After leaving [for the second time] I actually regretted not buying all the wine glasses and an orange kitchen trolley cart she used to display objects. Her tasteful selection will make me a regular customer.
Down the hall and around the corner I went…
My mission of the day was actually to find a certain husband-and-wife-to-be a unique heirloom they can hold dear for years to come. I found a vintage gem [photo to follow soon] sitting in a display case at S & R Collectibles. It boasts hints of turquoise, orange and doesn’t lack luster. In case they [bride & groom] are reading this, the last thing I will say is it comes all the way from Czechoslovakia. I promise to share the full skinny on this gift found at booth #52 & 53 after October 10th, 2014.
My eye was definitely on the prize however after I found it [as noted above] I became drawn to an “Off the Wall” nook which was home to ceramics and some pretty colourful stuff. As people walked by you could tell they were digging all the bright colours of the German pottery and modern glass. Visit the Off the Wall site for more on their showpieces. On the same stretch I wasn’t surprised to see a boat load of military memorabilia, bottles, toys and some vintage jewellery. What I must say was lacking from this flea market was vintage and antique clothing as well as accessories. Though there were a few hats and a fur coat here and there, I could not find any boutiques that solely focused on this type of fashion. That is on my wishlist for my next visit.
I drowned my style sorrows in an amazing Oktoberfest meal from the canteen and rejuvenated my spirits across the hall [from the canteen] after I caught a glimpse of a really delicate and alluring serving plate [ornamental garden gourds were not included].
Now I am going to tell you to, Just Shut Up and Paint your home with some creative pieces designed by Andrea Brehl. She makes recycled goods look gorgeous and really puts her own spin on the vintage and antique pieces she touches. I appreciate the time and effort that goes into making something a captivating contender again [via a lick of paint and some elbow grease] that might otherwise be overlooked.
To be frank, though there were items for sale in the great outdoors, I skipped the stands with the exception of the apple stand on the way out where I purchased a huge home-baked pie.
If you are looking for volume and quality – this market may be for you. Make your down to 5070 County Road 31 (Bank Street) and let Morrisburg, Ontario be your go to place for the best in retro, vintage and antiques. To market, to market, to buy …
pieceandquiet.ca 