Flippin' the Script at the Rosebowl

For about 3 years I faithfully loaded up my car, trekked 5-6 hours each way to set up shop at the Rosebowl fleamarket in Pasadena. I did this somewhat religiously (selling in the rain is no fun) every 2nd weekend of the month. And for the most part I loved it. I loved my customers, my vendor friends, and the money wasn't so bad. It's a hustle and a half, lemme tell ya. Up at 3 a.m., waiting on line, unloading in the dark, setting up shop and depending on the time of year you are either freezing your ass off in the dead of winter or sweating bullets, while damaging your precious skin in the sweltering sun. At the end of what sometimes felt like the longest day ev-er, you where beyond tired and dirty in places you didn't know could get dirty but that fanny pack full of the green kept you coming back every time. I decided earlier this year to quit that racket, focus on building up my account base for wholesaling and beef up my styling game...so far so great!

So the point of this post...I made it back down to the Rosebowl last weekend BUT as a shopper. It was good times. It was fun to be on the other side as the buyer. To leisurely walk the aisles and buy, buy, buy. Peep the technique...

My most favorite Office Tramp, Dree, meet up with me at the front gate, we opted for the 10 a.m. $8 entry fee (you can pay as much as $20 to get in at the crack of dawn). BTW, they will give you a $2 bill as part of your change.

An important tip...bring a pushy cart and get in the side entrance and beat the crowd.

We head straight to the "white section", this houses all the vintage clothing and accessories. First stop...Rob and Sarah's booth #3131... Where I picked up these amazing Ray Ban glasses that where modeled by my homies later at dinner that night...

Stopped by to see Lysa Rose, booth #3164. She offers a great selection of top quality ladies wears from victorian to the 90's.

Down the road is booth #3175, where Mara has been holding it down for about 15 year!!

Scored these deadstock Charles Jourdan canvas/rubber shoes from her...

And I always have to say "hey" to Joe. He's from the Bay too and can be found at booth #3154. He's got you covered in the vintage denim, t-shirts, workwear, boots and design oddities...he's been in the game for days!

And I always have to visit Andre. He's is the "Sunglasses" man...you can find him in space P07 in the orange section.

And the rest of my bounty from the day...

So the next time you find yourself at a fleamarket, remind yourself what goes into setting up shop. The journey, the hunt, the time, the energy, the money...there is a huge difference between cleaning out your garage and being a career fleamarketeer. Think twice about trying to get something for nothing. Believe me, I appreciate a good bargain, score or discount...but people gotta live and until you;ve been on both sides of the fence, think twice about whining or complaining about the price of something...if you only knew what it took to get it to you.