Next to Bay Lake Antiques, used cars, trucks, and a few vans, cram a fenced lot bannered with signs like WORKING MANS TRUCKS, THE VAN MAN, TRUCKS AND CARS FOR THE WORKING MAN.
But what if you’re a woman?
I suppose you’re still welcome. Not that I was in the market for a different vehicle, being on vacation and all. Yet, as Randy turned our aging van off Minnesota State Highway 18 between Garrison and Brainerd, I considered the potential alienation of female customers via that marketing strategy.
After my initial surprise and after taking a few photos, I focused on the neighboring antique shop and the content therein.
The gracious proprietor accepted my request to take photos as I poked around the main shop, in several stand-alone units and in a roofed wagon jammed with merchandise.
I found several priced-right rural-themed vintage trays that interested me, but passed on them because of their condition. More and more I can talk myself out of a purchase by repeating, I don’t really need more stuff.
Yet, that doesn’t keep me from antique shops, from thrift stores and such that more and more these days hold the treasure of memories.
© Copyright 2017 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Those vases in your last picture are amazing. I might have had a difficult time passing up some of those red ones. 🙂
Ah, the lure of red…
I agree with you…it’s so much fun to look but I really don’t need more stuff.
I’m to the point where I should go through all my “stuff” and purge, especially that tucked inside boxes I haven’t opened in years.
Hmmmmmm, considering that most men are alienated by half the Up North shops, it’s only fair that the guys get someplace other than a bar to waster their time.
Besides, most working men still have to get the permission of a working wife before making major purchases.
🙂 🙂 🙂
Point taken. 🙂
I adore antique stores and flea markets! Nice pics Audrey!
Thanks, Penny. I’m with you on appreciating both.
The “Van Man” Rhymes however The “Van Woman” would not. I bet that a person looking at a vehicle would be told “she runs good” thus dual gender would apply! Very few antique stores in my area but I do love investigating them. “More and more I can talk myself out of a purchase by repeating, I don’t really need more stuff” —- a very good strategy I too have much more stuff than I need!
Oh, Don, I like your insight of “she runs good.” Perfect.
I probably would have just chuckled about the “Van Man” place. I’d have made a beeline to the antique store. Like you, antique stores, flea markets and thrift shops are like a magnet to me. I’m very practical… I don’t need many things but every so often I find something I have to have!
You and I hold the same approach to antique stores, flea markets and thrift shops. Like you, every once in awhile I find something I have to have.
I still go to antique and thrift shops even though I don’t buy anything because I have nowhere to put anything–I just like to go and look and wonder about their original owners. What a fun day!
Those are good reasons to weave through and antique and thrift shops.
Yes it is fun to browse but when I see stuff in the stores labeled antiques and I still own them makes me feel a bit old. Your photos are sharp and colorful images.
I know exactly how you feel.
And thanks re. the photos.
Great pictures and for the record I saw the vintage Saltine tin before I noticed the yarn
I had to go back and look at the photo. Yup, there it is, that big box of yarn.