Burlington’s historic downtown went vintage for a day. Over one hundred vendors filled the streets of downtown on July 21st, 2018, stretching along Jefferson Street for four blocks. Vendors had everything from antique US military bags to up-cycled wine bottles to chalk-painted wooden candle holders. In its third year, A Very Vintage Market was expected to be a huge success from Committee Chairwoman Hillaurie Fritz-Bonar and Rachel Lindeen, another big coordinator of the event who works on it through her job at Greater Burlington Partnership, the host of the vintage market.
A shot of Food Truck Row on North 3rd Street
“It took on a life of its own and just grew,” said Lindeen when talking about the initial idea for the market three years ago in March and the first two years of the event taking place. She also said, “It was a random, great idea and it has exceeded all expectations.” Her comrade, Hillaurie, loves to find vintage pieces, and that’s one of her drives for the market: “I don’t sell the stuff, but I like to collect it.” Local businesses like C Sky Boutique and Big River Popcorn had booths set up alongside vintage sellers from far and wide.
Vendors from all over the tri-state area came out to sell their vintage-style wares. Justine Lambert from Keokuk, Iowa came the last two years, and reusing and repurposing is her hobby. She usually does more, but with the arrival of her new grandchildren, A Very Vintage Market was her first show this year. When asked about why she repurposes, she said, “This is what makes me happy.”
Crafters from Illinois included Beth Lauver and her business Sandy Glass, and Vintage Redheads run by married couple Russ and Nan Trahan. Beth “loves to get junk for nothing” and make it into something new. She said that her start to the re-purposing and up-cycling world was cutting up and fashioning new things out of wine bottles, which she still does to this day. Her booth had everything from magnets made with pieces of state maps to ornaments made from bicycle chain. And over on Jefferson sat Nan and Russ Trahan with their antique and vintage booth full of things from their antique shop in Geneseo, Illinois, Vintage Redheads. The name comes from their children, two of which are redheads, as is Nan. Their shop opened last year in Geneseo after they were driving through its downtown and Russ said to Nan, “Hey, that building’s for rent.” And although this was their first year at the market, they have been building and re-purposing for years and plan to come back next year to Burlington.
Valley Street vendors
A very local booth was Amanda Nichols and her Cheeky Mama Boutique, an extension of her recently-created Etsy shop. Amanda’s first time at any vintage event was this year’s Very Vintage Market. Her shop stemmed from her need to do something while being a stay-at-home mom with her daughter, because she just could not stand beng idle for very long. She said, “Life changes a lot when you become a mom, and this is my way to express myself and enjoy life.” Her taglines are “Not your mama’s boutique!” and “Home decor that brings you joy!”
Burlington’s A Very Vintage Market has continued to bloom from its initial conception three years ago. 2018 has brought new additions, like a line of food trucks across from a row of vintage vendors down North 3rd Street. Just like it has grown in the past, the market is expected to continue to grow more and more in the years to come.
