Junkers’ season takes shape

After months of wintry weather and gray days, the thought of getting outside and feeling the sun on my back and a warm breeze in my hair sounds wonderful.

And, well, if getting outdoors means spending a few hours shopping for antiques and collectibles, so much the better.

May brings a fresh slate of antique fairs and flea markets to the region. Dealers have been busy discovering and preparing new finds and shoppers are ready for the thrill of the chase.

Ann Caster, a familiar face at antique malls and shows around town, is branching out. Caster has rented a building that was formerly a fire station north of Spokane and she’s going to be holding monthly sales there.

“The fire station sits on the edge of an alfalfa field with a beautiful view of farmland, woods and mountains in the distance,” Caster told me. “The concept is simple. The station will be opened for business the second weekend of the month, May through December.”

Caster was inspired to make the move after one of her buying trips.

“I got the idea while antiquing back in the Midwest and saw how several women came together on a monthly basis – usually in an old building – to sell their treasures,” Caster says. “During the rest of the month they worked at the building to get ready for the show.”

While the space she has rented is not large, she sees big potential.

“A friend told me about the fire station and that got it all started,” Caster says. “The building is not huge but the outside space is there for more dealers.”

Caster says she’s already been contacted by women who have been collecting for a while and are ready to sell but don’t want to hold a sale at home or set up at a flea market.

“There will be the shabby chic stuff but also true farm things, rusty and primitive,” Caster says. “My personal favorite is the vintage garden stuff.”

The first sale will be held May 12 and 13, Mother’s Day weekend.

“Mother’s Day will be a special day at the station with treats, door prizes and flowers for Mom, Caster says.

Each month, in addition to her own wares – furniture, primitives, quilts and garden décor – Caster will have other vendors at the sales offering their own assortment of vintage items.

“My dream is that this sale will offer a fun place to shop in a low key atmosphere that shoppers will look forward to each month,” Caster says. “We could have flower and vegetable vendors outside and dealers joining us in the community center next door.”

Aware that after the flurry of spring and summer events ends, treasure hunters might appreciate monthly sales that last through fall and winter, Caster is hoping to create a go-to spot.

“I want to make it a destination point,” she says. “Where friends like to meet.”