Vintage shoppers rejoice. Vintage Marché, the free monthly extravaganza of vintage treasures in St. Petersburg, is holding its market this weekend, Saturday, Oct. 8 and Sunday, Oct. 9, after canceling last weekend because of Hurricane Ian. And as usual, they’ll be holding their ticketed First Dibs Friday tomorrow night, Oct. 7. If you’ve never heard of it, Vintage Marché is a shopping adventure. And, let’s face it, right now, many of us need an easy escape from clean up, rebuilding and sad news.

Paul Donofrio, who lives in Sarasota and owns an irrigation business, started Vintage Marché in 2019 as a passion and it’s since developed a cult following. In September, he moved the St. Pete market, the largest vintage market in Tampa Bay, to a new space at 2906 34^th St. S., St. Petersburg, just past the northbound span of the Skyway Bridge. The new location makes it a simple, quick drive for those of us who live south of the bridge—I made it in 45 minutes from downtown Sarasota last month. And great news: parking is ample. Donofrio says the new space has 350 parking spots.  

The 15,000-square-foot building is stuffed with furniture, clothing, toys, jewelry and all kinds of curios, trinkets and gewgaws. Chairs, stained glass windows, baskets, chandeliers, artwork and even skateboards hang from the ceiling and the floor space is packed with nostalgic merchandise. Somehow, despite the chockablock setting and the crowds (and even well-behaved dogs), the shopping experience is not complete chaos. Donofrio’s “bees,” the Vintage vendors, wear blue t-shirts and incessantly buzz around the space helping all customers—no matter whether that customer is buying their wares or not. It makes for a no-pressure shopping experience. The bees also replace sold inventory with new items so there’s always something fresh. You can easily spend hours browsing.

The inventory is mostly vintage pieces that have good design, not super-cheap thrift finds. Collectors and interior designers are regular shoppers. Mid-century modern furniture and accessories are a specialty here, but you’ll also find furniture and items in the arts and crafts style, Art Nouveau, coastal chic, South Pacific décor and traditional styles.

If you want first crack at merchandise, drive up for Friday night’s First Dibs Friday. You can buy a $5 ticket online or pay $10 at the door. You can grab a glass of wine, nibble on some cheese and listen to live music while you shop.

I didn’t buy anything during my first trip to Vintage Marché, although my sister bought a 30-year-old mechanical dining table by Skovby with a hidden leaf and wheel that opens the table like a flower. We celebrated her find by having dinner in St. Pete at Cassis on picturesque Beach Drive on the bayfront—the perfect way to spend an evening if you want to do more than shop.

Vintage Marché takes place the first full weekend of every month and is free. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For vintage fanatics, there’s First Dibs Friday, 4-8 p.m., with a ticket price of $5 online and $10 at the door. To avoid the lines, Donofrio suggests going on Friday night or early on Sunday after they restock Saturday night. The market also hosts a Facebook live sneak preview on Thursdays before it opens, so you can zero in on the items you’re interested in.

Vintage Marché, 2906 34^th St. S., St. Petersburg, (727) 289-1828. You can try calling, but the best way to stay informed is through Facebook.