Cloudy weather didn’t stop fortune hunters from scavenging for loot at the one-time only ‘Saturday Super Swap’ vintage market April 25, which usually takes place on a Sunday but shifted schedule for the farm walk.
With reduced entrance fees and an Instagram photo contest, the Topanga Vintage Market ‘Saturday Super Swap’ had a large turnout with all vending spaces selling out and vendors free of the usual “vintage only” restriction.
Even with the vintage only restriction lifted, plenty of merchants still filled their shops with old and newer collectibles items, bringing in a category of product that Topanga Vintage Market co-founders Patrice Curedale and Lori Rotblatt labeled as “fresh vintage.”
“This was a big challenge for us to put one on a Saturday and get shoppers to come. We have a whole following on Sunday,” Rotblatt said. “This was a big effort on our part, so we’re pleased to see people coming to shop.”
The friendly banter among vendors and customers highlights one of the most important aspects of the vintage market, the community.
The people are the substance that makes the Topanga Vintage Market come alive, and there stories are sometimes more valuable then the goods that they sell.
High School students Samantha Salo and Grace Sahani were two off the people that happened to fit in the category of non-vintage, selling goods to support there fund raiser to keep Indian students in school in India.
“These bracelets were made in India, and we’re selling them to raise money to help education in the rural parts of India,” Sahani said. “A lot of [Indian] kids, especially when they get to the high school level, are forced to drop out of school to work. We’re supporting them to stay in school and get a good education so they can have a brighter future.”
As far as the actual costumers, the ‘Saturday Super Swap’ attracted multiple personalities, from Grandkids to Grandparents, and people you wouldn’t normally see shopping anywhere else.
Buzzing down the aisles was a group of females that brought about a certain nostalgia that matched the vintage market feel. Led by Rebecca “Bonebraker” Bonebrake, these girls were all members of San Fernando Roller Derby league, and they made sure to wear their skates for the occasion.
“We’re here to spread the word, have some fun with some of the other girls in the league, but mostly just make people aware that San Fernando valley has there own roller derby league,” Bonebrake said.
At the end of the day, the vintage market isn’t just about who can make the most money, but the interactions with real people.
