Palm Springs Vintage Market is Midcentury Mecca

Bargain hunters mix with designers and dealers

Michelle Roe Shopping

The Vintage Market is back the first Sunday of every month through May, running 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Spa Casino parking lot on North Calle Encilia.
Photos by Christina Frary and Robert Bell

 

Mid-modern design and décor buffs have another reason to place Palm Springs on their list of top destinations for awesome retro finds.

The Palm Springs Vintage Market is a flea market style show where bargain hunters mix with designers and dealers to hunt for midcentury treasures, hang out, and enjoy the view.

On Nov. 2 and the first Sunday of the month through May, more than 100 vendors gather from all over California to create really cool visual displays to sell everything from:

• Jetson-esque ashtrays

• Barcelona chairs and Bakelite items

• Vintage clothing and antique Western stuffs

 

Buyers can be sellers and sellers can be buyers at the Vintage Market.

According to Co-Founder Rick Jeffs, “This is a fun, very original event. It fits in so well with the historical and architectural aspect that many identify with Palm Springs. We have a lot of unique merchandise from all over. We try to keep reproductions to a minimum, working to maintain the authenticity and nature of providing a central location and a hip vibe for a retro shopping experience.”

It’s an avant-garde design environment and business model set in a non-traditional outdoor “studio”. Vendors purchase a 20-by-20 space for a $90 fee and the general public is invited to pay a small entry fee ($5 at the door or $3 with an online coupon). Anyone can participate in the buying or the selling or both.

Retro items dominate the Vintage Market.

According to Jeffs, “It’s a dangerous place for true midcentury enthusiasts.  Some vendors come in and spend more than they make. However, a portion of the fees that we receive from participants goes to charity. We currently work with a different charity each month and we want to grow the event’s philanthropic aspect. We care about this community.”  

The brainchild of Jeffs and his partner, Mindy King, the Palm Springs Vintage Market takes a fresh approach focusing on vintage and design products. Jeffs and King are also the folks behind Saturday’s Open Air Market, a different shopping bazaar featuring an eclectic mix of art, jewelry, clothing and even hot dogs.

Pick up some old 45s.

Jeffs has always had a fondness for garage and estate sales and when his garage was full of “a ridiculous amount of stuff," he and King decided to launch the Sunday morning show. Now in it’s second season, the market has attracted as many as 3000 “wheelin and dealin” customers.

“This is a gigantic chance to sell stuff as well as steal away with some valuable pieces," says Jeffs. "We have shade if people just want to chill and participating restaurants (such a Appetito) to serve up smoothies to panini’s.”

The Palm Springs Vintage Market, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first Sunday of the month through May, on North Calle Encilia between Amado and Alejo in downtown Palm Springs. Visit www.palmspringsvintagemarket.com for details, directions, and available coupons.

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