Today we are so pleased to welcome Cate Price to Wicked Cozy Authors. Going Through the Notions is her first mystery. While Cate no longer makes her home in New England, she still has a Yankee’s wicked appetite for bargain hunting.
My heroine, Daisy Buchanan, in GOING THROUGH THE NOTIONS, owns a quirky sewing notions and antiques store in the village of Millbury, PA. One of the ways she replenishes her stock is to visit yard sales, auctions, antique shows, and flea markets.
Seeing as I’m from Connecticut originally, and also a flea market junkie, I thought we’d take a short tour through New England today. There are so many wonderful markets, but here are just a few of the most popular and ones that I’ve enjoyed.
Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market http://www.etflea.com is located in the western part of Connecticut on Route 7 in Milford. It opens on Sundays at 5:45 a.m. for early buyers at a price of $20 a ticket, but if you can restrain yourself and wait until 7 a.m., the cost of general admission is only $2. There’s a good amount of vintage merchandise in the mix here. So many markets these days have dwindled into offering nothing but designer knockoffs, but that sort of thing is not permitted at the Elephant’s Trunk. Here you might find Depression glass, antique toys, costume jewelry, or some other fantastic treasure you can’t live without.
Brimfield Antiques and Collectibles Show http://www.brimfieldshow.com The big kahuna of all the flea markets is Brimfield in Massachusetts, near the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains. It’s an absolutely gargantuan show, running for perhaps half a mile along each side of Route 20. It can take days to get around the whole thing. Brimfield draws a quarter million visitors and over five thousand dealers every year. Best to make a mini-vacation out of it and wear your most comfortable shoes for an epic antiques quest!
Mansfield Drive-In Theater and Marketplace Another good one on Route 32 in Mansfield that doubles as a drive-in and flea market. http://www.mansfielddrivein.com/marketplace.aspx. It’s the largest in Eastern Connecticut, has indoor and outdoor shopping, and is open rain or shine. It’s also lots of fun.
Although I haven’t been to the Waterfront Flea Market in Brunswick, Maine myself, I’ve heard it’s a good one. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Waterfront-Flea-Market/249714455739. It’s housed in an old mill building overlooking the water. There’s a real eclectic variety of vendors and quite unusual treasures to be found. It’s also open year round.
How about you? Any favorite flea markets in New England that I can add to my bucket list? Actually I should be getting rid of stuff at this stage, not buying any more junk, but as my mom says, the urge just keeps overtaking her. Happy antiquing!
Cate Price is a regular sight on the streets of her home town walking her two amazing rescue dogs, and she also enjoys gardening, yard sales, and cooking with friends. Writing
Going Through the Notions proved to be rather an expensive project, because while researching auction houses, she became addicted to bidding on box lots. Cate is the VP of her local Romance Writers of America chapter and a member of Sisters in Crime. The second book in the series, A Dollhouse to Die For, has been submitted to her editor, and she is hard at work on the third.
Visit Cate at www.cateprice.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/catepriceauthor
Those are great suggestions, Cate. Thanks so much for joining us today!
Thank you, Jessie! It’s a pleasure to be here!
Thanks for having me on the blog, Jessie!
Greetings from another flea market junkie–I was at Brimfield a week ago, drooling over antique apple peelers. It’s an experience unto itself. And tomorrow I’m one of the guest stars of the Granby MA Fall Festival and Tag Sale–this year they’ve taken over a barn for the latter. Be still, my heart!
Can’t wait to read the book!
A tag sale in a barn sounds like my idea of heaven, Sheila!
HI Cate–welcome to Wicked Cozy Authors! So glad you could join us today.
Thanks, Barbara! I’m honored to be here.
Thanks for the warm welcome 🙂
Welcome, Cate! I pretty much have to avoid yard, tag, estate, and other old-stuff sales. Our house is too small as it is. I look forward to reading your book.
Edith, I live in a small house, too, but I can’t help myself!
I always wanted to go to Brimfield. And see The Elephants Trunk on one of those HGTV shows! One of these days I’ll make it!!!
Think we need to do a Wicked Road Trip!
I would love to read your book. looks like it could be a good one.
Thank you, Holly. Good luck in the giveaway!
I don’t usually shop at flea markets, but the book sounds fun. Congratulations on getting published!
Thank you, Barb. It’s a very exciting time for me right now – savoring every moment.
Your book, Going Through the Notions, sounds like a true “trip down memory lane” and I can’t wait to get your book to start reading about all of the treasures that people find. I am not able to do yard sales, etc. anymore as walking is too difficult now, but I can remember how much fun I had looking for something unique each week. Wishing you tons of good luck with all of your writing, Cate. I have heard such good things about the book/series, you may not need any more luck, the book will just sell itself with the great buzz from the readers.
Cynthia,
I appreciate the good wishes so much, Thanks for the kind words and encouragement.
I live way too far away to be able to visit any of these places, but they sound like interesting ones. Now I’m not too far away to read 🙂 stories about the area.
Also, my daughter says I already have way too much stuff and don’t need any more!
My daughter says the same thing (and it’s true)! However my mom is my true partner in crime. We can lose ourselves in a flea market for hours. Her specialty is china, and she’s an expert on pottery marks. She has an amazing collection of commemorative mugs for the British Royal family.and Royal Copenhagen plates.
I love flea markets and have been to Brimfield, Mansfield and Elephant’s Trunk. Will have to put the one in Maine on my list. Your book looks great–can’t wait to read it!
A fellow flea marketer! Love it. Hope you enjoy the book, Susannah 🙂
Hi Cate, how funny – Mansfield drive-in is right near where I live. We’re actually going to do a flea market table there later this fall. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Liz! Maybe I’ll bump into you there one of these days when I’m visiting family in Connecticut!
I love flea markets, I’m always on the look out for them. The book sounds great, I can’t wait to read it.
It’s such a thrill to find a real bargain, isn’t it?! I do hope you enjoy the book.