The concept of booths in a vintage market

[Marthe48]

I am thinking this over, new idea so I'll probably ramble. I was thinking about individual booths. In our vintage mall, many of the vendors are really creative in displaying the things they have for sale. Makes for a very nice browsing and shopping experience. It isn't uncommon for shoppers to pick something up, and then leave it in another booth. Vendor are encouraged to either drop stay items off at the main counter or put them on the lost and found shelf. Along with positive aspects of having a booth, I had thngs taken from my booth and I believe they were stolen. But if they ended up in another booth, they are marked and if sold, I would get the money. This experience got me to thinking. If I have something in my booth that would enhance another person's booth, or look better in another booth, as long as we are paying rent for space, why not blur the lines? As long as vendors are okay with an arrangment, it might be a better way to use the store space. The only drawback I can think of is that if a shopper wants a discount, and they got an item in Booth A, which offers discounts, but the item belongs to Vendor Z, who doesn't offer a discount, the item might not get sold.

[intrepidity]

1. So, like "themed" boothes?

I can see the upside for sure. That way collectors of particular things can easily find what they are seeking. Otoh, it puts everything in direct competition.

From a shopper perspective, both appeal to me. On one hand, many collectors enjoy the treasure hunt aspect, and finding an odd item in a random mix is part of the fun. But seeing "themed" collections is also fun.

Maybe do a rotation? More work for vendors, though.

Just my 2 cents.

[Marthe48]

3. The owner of the vintage mall wants us to change things frequently

and reminds us of holidays, seasonal changes, events, sports seasons and so on. First place I've done that. They don't want our booths to look like yard sales. Ha, where does she think we got the stuff we're selling? lol

[Freethinker65]

2. Interesting.

Not currently a vender, but considering it. Helped my retired parents run a booth and set up at antique fairs decades ago.

I still frequent antique and thrift store malls. I have encountered a few malls where it seems some space was devoted to specific period/category items from various vendors (I was looking at some vintage kitchenware and noticed different vendor tags). For the most part, however, the booth concept hasn't appeared to change that much...except, of course, for the booth rental fees, sales fee structures for cash vs. credit card, etc.

[Marthe48]

4. Many of the vendors in our mall theme their booths.

One of my younger friends sells vintage clothes and loves putting coordinated outfits on her mannequins. Several people have older stuff and among those vendors, there is a country or rustic vibe. I am downsizing and offering things someone else might want, but it isn't the age I collect.

When my sister-in-law and I had a shop together, we had different numbers to keep the sales straight.

I like the idea of having staff manning the register. The vendors keep their areas clean and stocked, but we don't have to be there. My husband and I were really into buyinf and selling, but after he passed, I didn't do much on my own for several years. I'm really glad I got active again. Buying, collecting, selling antique and vintage seems to be a vital part of my make-up. And I forgot how fun it is to be around people who like the same things I do-the items and the satisfaction