One man’s stuff Is another’s treasure. Who wouldn’t have fun finding that cache of unusual items traditional retail stores don’t offer? Frankly, part of the pleasure in finding, is the hunt for that one-of-a-kind treasure. Mansfield has a lot of options for your hunt. Take a look!
Nothing could describe any better what motorcycle buffs call a Holy Grail of sales, the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Swap Meet. This grand-daddy of all rummage sales takes place during the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, on July 20-22, 2012 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. A massive open-air market, one of the largest in the country, the goodies are laid out over 35 sprawling acres. Rows of old, classic, and even some new bike parts, cover the grounds. Vendors also have both new and used motorcycles available for sale. Shopping motorcycles and scouring for parts is only half of it, The New Product Manufacturer’s Midway is the place to be for the latest in leather, gear, attire and accessories. If you can’t find it, they don’t make it! Topping off the thrill of the find, is a weekend immersion into the culture of all things motorcycle; the displays, the races, and sharing stories with vendors and fellow motorcycle enthusiasts. For more information on this event you can check the detail at this website http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/events/AMAVintageMotorcycleDays/SwapMeet.aspx
Rainy day foraging calls for a trip to Glen’s Surplus, the ultimate in all things scavenger hunt. Located in Shelby, Ohio, the locals refer to this surplus mega store as “The Shelby Mall”. Glen’s has earned celebrity status, recently receiving media attention and featured on ABC 6 News, Columbus Ohio, Deal Detectives. This space of 50,000 – 75,000 square feet of product (depending on the ebb and flow of season and merchandise) calls for a full day of scouring in order to unearth your buried treasure, so plan on spending some quality time cruising row after row of both conventional and non-conventional new merchandise. Open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 7 days a week except for major holidays, Glen’s accommodates everyone’s schedule. Products include military surplus (including trucks!), automotive, housewares, engines, sporting goods, seasonal items, chainsaw and lawn mower parts and accessories, crafts, and tools. Closeout items make for a different experience, every time you shop at Glen’s. This family business has operated for 39 years, and the staff is both friendly and helpful. Seeing is believing and the best way to experience Glen’s is to stop in, but you can also visit their online store at http://glenssurplus.com.
For those with an eye for antiques and collectibles, Carrousel Antiques is an eclectic shop providing lovers of all things nostalgic, a stock of continuously changing merchandise. Serving antique buffs for twelve years at their location on Main Street, in historic downtown Mansfield, Carrousel Antiques is another nice stop for those checking out the unique shops and architecture of this charming area of the city. Don’t let the smaller storefront fool you. Carrousel Antiques is a good sized space where you’ll find 50 dealers commissioned collectibles waiting to be discovered. Open from Monday through Saturday from 10-5.
If you still have room in the truck or van, here’s another clue pointing to potential treasure; Richland County Fairgrounds monthly Antique Show and Flea Market. This gigantic rummage sale of sorts takes place the last full weekend of the month, February through November. From 9-4 on both Saturday and Sunday, it’s best to start out early in the day, as there is a lot of excavating to be done. You can peruse three buildings which house over 200 dealer spots and additional outdoor spaces manned in the nicer weather. Admission is only $1 with kids 11 and under free.
A weekend spent specialty shopping is guaranteed to turn up a treasure trove of goodies. For links to all of these unique shopping experiences and more, check out .