The Lexington Park Antiques hosts around 70 vendors in the center of downtown Asheville. Open for more than a quarter of a century, this antiques market is a treasure chest for first-timers and seasoned hunters alike.
Like most large shopping squares, you’ll need to come prepared with a plan. At around 24,000 square feet, this indoor mall is an open sprawl of wares, accessories, and unique finds. The good news is that you’ll find plenty of vendors who are happy to answer your questions and point you in the right direction.
Whether you’re looking for a specific collectible to complete a set or you’re merely considering a change in decor, Lexington Park Antiques can feel a little overwhelming at first. Some booths are tidier than others, so you’ll need to be careful of where you step. No matter who you buy from, all purchases go through a central register at the front.
From furniture to postcards to dishware and more, shoppers rave about the incredible selection. Spend the day absorbing the layout, haggling over the prices, and learning about the historical significance of the items. While many of the antiques come from questionable decades, like the 1980s, there are plenty of older pieces with rich histories.
People love to come to antique shops for the variety. On any given day, your treasures and fortunes change. Unlike big box retailers, the merchandise is anything but predictable. Here are a few tips if you’re just getting started:
- Do a walk-through: Going through your home can give you a sense of what you have as opposed to what you need. Your color schemes, empty spaces, and textures should all factor into your final choices. This step is important even if you’re just adding a finishing touch to a room, as each design element should work with the larger whole.
- Reimagine the possibilities: You’ve probably seen plenty of repurposed objects, whether in magazines or in people’s homes. Well, now it’s time to try it out for yourself. Everyday objects can be used as wall art, antique magazine holders might be right at home in a children’s playroom, and old drinkware can be used for vases.
- Come prepared to dig: All those piles can conceal some of the best items in the whole place. While not all vendors will score high marks on presentation and organization, that doesn’t mean that looking in all the corners is a waste of time. Keep your eyes peeled and make sure you check out all four corners of the booth.
- Pay what it’s worth: Part of the fun of antique shopping is striking up conversations with vendors. This is also a great place to try out your negotiation skills. Asking for a few bucks off of an item, particularly if you could go either way on it, can spice up your day and potentially lead to victory.
- Step outside your comfort zone: You might see plenty of vendors that don’t appear to be your style, but you also might be surprised at what you can find.
There are a lot of reasons to visit large antiques markets, even if you’re not looking for anything specific. Plenty of people stop by just to wander and end up leaving with special items that stay in their family for generations.
Insider Tips:
-The 24,000 sq ft. houses nearly every conceivable antique and collectible, and caters to nearly every type of shopper.
-The chaotic layout (and somewhat disheveled appearance) can be challenging to navigate, so it’s important to look alive while shopping.