NORMAN — Col. Dick’s Antique and Collectors Market is at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds on Robinson Street and folks are coming from across the region to find bargains. The sale runs Fridays and Saturdays for one more month.
“We come down here every year just to look,” Jim Duggins of Oklahoma City said.
Duggins and his wife appeared to be more than just looking, however. With all of the collectibles and other merchandise available for sale — everything from vinyl records and 8-track tapes to bicycles, furniture, and comic books — it’s hard not to walk out with something in hand.
Some came in pickups and left with a load.
Tools are big sale items, especially popular with male shoppers, according to vendor Debbie Simpson.
“There’s plenty of furniture which is highly sellable,” said Simpson.
Women often prefer collectible glass such as carnival glass, Fenton glass and Blue Willow dishes.
Female shoppers also like the jewelry, she said.
But the annual flea market is about more than just finding a good bargain or picking up another piece for your favorite collection. And for vendors it’s about more than just making money.
“You get to meet a lot of people,” Simpson said.
Many of the vendors and the most loyal customers become acquainted through the years. And its an opportunity to talk about the items some love to collect and some love to find and sell.
Sylvia Hackett puts her college education to work doing research to recognize valuable, time period pieces to sell.
“I actually grew up in the business,” she said.
Hackett prides herself on selling things in her booth “you don’t just walk into the average shop and see.”
How does she find her rare items?
“People call me,” she said.
Many of her goods, she obtains through buying out collections.
“I study. I have like 200 books at home, and I really do my homework on it,” Hackett said.
Some of her items are high end. Others are affordable items with “nostalgic appeal.”
“You need variety,” she said.
Bronita Craddock has come to the Saturday sale from Blanchard with her daughter and daughter-in-law in tow. It’s a family bonding thing, this flea market bargain hunting.
“We enjoy getting out and coming when it’s too cold for garage sales,” she said.
Craddock said she isn’t a collector on the prowl for special items, she’s out looking for bargains.
Rosie Anderson enjoys working her booth and meeting people. She has a bright yellow posterboard sign handmade by her daughter to identify her booth space.
“I have a little bit of everything,” she said.
She likes the flea market venue.
“You’re not outside suffering from the elements and you build up a clientele,” she said. “People come back to your booth because they like your items.”
Joy Hampton 366-3539 jhampton@normantranscript.com
