The BH visits the Rose Bowl flea market
A veteran bargain hunter came to for a visit this weekend - my mother-in-law. We were making dinner Friday night when she saw me set a few broccoli stems aside for the trash. She chided me when I told her we usually just eat the crowns.
"You're the bargain hunter?" she teased, grabbing the stems. She shaved off the outer skin and offered me a whitish slice of the inner core. It was tender and delicious.
"I do know a thing or two about bargain hunting," I told her as we prepared the rest of the stems for the steamer. "But I'm the first to admit I have a lot to learn."
Which is why I knew my mother-in-law's suggestion that we visit the Rose Bowl flea market Sunday was a good idea. She has been scouring flea markets and estate sales for years. I have not.
We arrived later than planned, at 10:30 a.m., hours after hard core shoppers had picked over the best merchandise. But, I reasoned, sellers may be more willing to negotiate.
The array of tables and selection of merchandise was dizzying. High heels by Janice and Chinese Laundry were $5 to $10, lacquered Russian dolls and boxes ran into the hundreds, vintage silk scarves were $1, a shabby chic dresser was $585, sunglasses were 2 for $5, Vans were $20 each or 2 for $15. There was a glut of floppy hats, sun dresses, used clothes, and junk.
High end sellers mixed freely with low end merchants. As one seller said, "It's either made in China or made by artisans." Either way, everyone is just trying to get by.
Prices and quality could vary greatly at a single table. At Erica Koesler's jewelry table, delicate necklaces with a single stone were as much as $95. But on a clearance table at the back of her booth I found a pair of citrine earrings for $5. She wouldn't come down at all, but I felt it was a fair price and forked over a fiver without much hesitation.
The antique section went on and on. A massive taxidermied moose...
...head, above, was $1,000. A giant Mobil gas sign was $150 and license plates were $5.
"If you are looking for anything you might find it," my mother-in-law said. "But," I replied, "if you are looking for something, you might not."
The used clothing section was expansive. Leather airmen jackets were $10 but hard to consider in the heat. T-shirts were $5 each. Strappy leather sandals, the Greek-inspired kind that are so trendy these days, were $10. Retro hipsters looking for vintage clothes will certainly not lack for racks to sift through.
Many items needed a little TLC. I overheard one woman reclined on a chair say to her husband, who was inspecting a half-finished dresser, " I don't know if I need to buy a project."
It was fun to wander the aisles, despite the heat, which apparently makes the summer months slow. If I had a specific list of items to find, on the other hand, it might have been a frustrating day.
A note to the truly cheap. Food and cool drinks are rather pricey inside the market so bring your own treats. Parking is free. Admission is $8 at 9am or later and more for earlier entry. For more info go here.
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About The Bargain Hunter
Daily News staff writer Julia Scott loves to find bargains on everything from groceries to Gucci. Her tips will help keep your hard earned cash where it belongs - in your pocket.
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I used to go to the Rose Bowl Swapmeet at 6:30AM. After 8:00 all the good stuff is gone or put away (no pearls upon swine). My best buy was a jelly jar cabinet that I bought for $20.00. The man held if for me until I left at 11:00am. He said that he must have has ten offers to buy it, but it was mine. I took it home, refinished it, kept it in my dining room for 10 years and sold for $400.00 when I had to move. That was a bargin.
Good for you on discovering broccoli stems - they are delicious! Trader Joe's sells organic broccoli slaw (which are shredded stems with a few carrot shreds)in a bag. They are GREAT to have on hand, add them to salads, soups, and wraps. Our imagination is the limit, healthy and colorful works for me ;)
Bon Appetit and thanks for the great bargain tips!
I've always preferred the broccoli stems, as they're usually sweeter than the somewhat more bitter florets. I use them in soups, stir-fry, or just plain as a side veggie dish. After they're blanched to al dente, they're great as dippers, along with celery, carrots, jicama, etc. My daughter-in-law and I always scramble for the stems with we have dinner together.