Although it was the World Cup’s opening day, the Long Beach Antique Market drew a crowd with numerous displays of vintage items and food for attendees.
On the sunny morning of Nov. 21, the LBCC parking structure was filled with cars and people of all ages who were ready to start off their day at the market.
With carts, tote bags and smiles on their faces, the attendees made their way into the market which quickly began to bustle with commerce.
The entrance fee for the market was $10 after 7:30 a.m. and $20 to enter at 5:30 a.m.
The market consisted of almost anything you could think of, from 70’s style furniture, vintage fur coats, vinyls and even an old Mickey Mouse phone for anyone attending the market.
Many of the attendees had been going for years, including Carolina Jimenez, a fashion student at Cerritos College.
“I think this is the best vintage market in California. Nothing compares to the finds here, and I’ve been to many flea markets,” Jimenez said. “I found out about this market from other students in my class, this is where they get their style inspiration from.”
Among the hundreds of vendors at the Long Beach Antique Market, Dan Golden, owner of the aptly named Dan Golden Telephones, had an interesting story to tell in regards to his business.
“I have had the History Channel, Pawn Stars, Storage Wars and even CNN News write about me and my business, it’s amazing,” Golden said. “I have been able to use these collections for movies and meet people through that.”
Golden spoke about collecting telephones and movie set cameras and then renting them out. Through his business, he’s met a number of stunt coordinators and names within the film industry.
As the temperature rose, many people stood in the shade eating the tacos sold at the stands by the market coordinators. Beer, lemonade, and other beverages were sold as well for attendees to cool off.
At the other side of the market was Sarah Kirschner, the owner of Disco Trash Vintage where she sold any vintage pieces she could find. Kirschner drives all the way from Bakersfield to come sell at the market.
“I love people and interacting with them here,” Kirschner said, “My advice to any seller is to be selective, buy what you love, and you will have more of a passion when you love what you sell. I love my job.”
The antique market happens on the last Sunday of the month, with an entrance fee of $10.
For more information on future antique markets, you can visit https://www.longbeachantiquemarket.com/