Does it MATTER which ANTIQUE MALL You Pick For your Booth Business? Antique Booth Business Tips

[@donnadorsch8737]

Brilliant analysis. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@chandaharkins4418]

The top sellers in my mall definitely know what customers want in our area and price it fairly. Their booths are on the main level. They also work their booths constantly. (I'm not one! 😂) Great tips, Melanie, as always!

[@LostFoundDecor]

I get it… knowing what to do and actually making yourself do it are 2 different things 😂 I struggle with the same thing!

[@jeffsteinkekeddell3049]

You are 100% correct. I say that as a vintage market manager and have diffrent style booths there.

[@debrahamstead5219]

Hi Melanie! I am going back thru and watching your wonderful videos for a second and third time. I just want you to know how very helpful you are to a booth owner like me and I am hopefully here to encourage you to continue your content! I love the series you did with the different booth owners as well as this series that answers the major questions. So I vote, 🙋‍♀️, that you continue sharing all that wonderful knowledge of yours with us booth owners that are living the daily roller coaster ride of resale! And hidden in this message is a big thank you too!

[@LostFoundDecor]

Thank you Debrah! I appreciate your comment and so glad I've been able to offer some helpful content

[@MaryjaneTaylor-n1q]

This is all so true. I recently sold my mall after 16 years and now have a 10 X 20 booth in a store near by and it sells more market ranchy items than antiques. I am struggling to find a better fit and still be true to antiques. I love this business and dont want to quit but there is no alternative near by.

[@LostFoundDecor]

Congrats on selling your mall! I bet it’s a tough adjustment going from being the owner to a renter (I felt that after only 2 years of being a store owner)

[@rkevghas]

Fantastic info. I have been fortunate to be with one group shop since 2005 and it has definitely improved over the years. We are in a great location in the state capital of NH. The owners invest a lot in advertising in several venues; print, social media and flyers. They have a really nice state of the art security system and are willing to find shop lifters and get them prosecuted if possible. The booth spaces are expensive but well maintained and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. We also belong to the regional Antiques Association. I get paid to post photos on FB and Google - daily on FB and about 3x a week on Google. I have tried other shops over the years, but this one has bee the best overall.

[@LostFoundDecor]

It sounds like a great place to be!

[@marylambert5038]

Melanie. Hi. I just found your channel and hope to binge watch all your content, even if it takes me all night! I just opened a booth after being an online seller for years and believe your guidance will help me a lot. Thank you!

[@deewright1118]

Wow so good!!! 🦩💞🦩

[@LostFoundDecor]

Thanks Dee! Great to see you yesterday 😊

[@Laanwa43]

Hi, definitely agree 100%. we are currently changing up our inventory, because we love where we are located and now have a better feel for what our customers want. This is certainly a different group of shoppers (trendy) than we had at the old booth (rusty and vintage) so we intend to give them what they are shopping for. Boutique style it is. Thanks so much for your post.

[@ReinventedDelaware]

Great information Melanie. Vendors have to pay attention to what is working and what isn't in their business. Paying attention to the market and what kind of mall a vendor is in is so important. You are smart for moving to a different location!

[@amygravel9000]

Hi @Reinvented Delaware!!!! I watch all your videos too! Boy do I wish I lived closer to Delaware! That junk yard in your recent video was soooo cool, I want to go so bad! I think we would be great friends! 😊

[@ReinventedDelaware]

@@amygravel9000 We would be junk in’ buddies!

[@rachelmadsen6237]

Thank you for the tips! I am struggling to figure out what customers want in our area. And I am struggling to find inventory for my booth. Thrift shops have been low on vintage or even upcyle-able items.

[@LostFoundDecor]

Thrift stores in my area have been low also in selection. I have to do more estate sales and drive to some weekend flea markets

[@djbarton6126]

Always good advice! I’m am dealing with this concern now and you’ve given me much to think about. Thanks!

[@sallymoffit3751]

Excellent advice

[@LostFoundDecor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@delightfuldaisy1]

You always have such great advice, Melanie! Thank you so much for making these videos for us!!

[@LostFoundDecor]

You are so welcome!

[@kellierohaley8328]

I also feel that the size of your mall makes a huge difference in your sales. I would never want to be in a large mall. They’re too overwhelming and people don’t see everything And there are many other Vendors selling exactly what you have. I always walk around to see what other people have in their booth. I don’t want to have the same thing that you have.

[@elainebolten5205]

Thank you again for the great information- the love all your videos on running a good booth-I am a vendor & also cashier at our mall & also walk around other days helping customers- you are right-customer service it so important to a mall business! I greet & ask ever customer if there is something special they are looking for- if I don’t have it I tell them I will help look to see if another vendor does- they appreciate it very much & it gets them coming back! I try to carry a little bit of everything that appeals to our customers- thanks again! 🙂

[@LostFoundDecor]

That’s great you put so much into your customer service, it really makes a difference 😊

[@jimmyraysorrells8415]

Absolute truth! It really is all about LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION! Finding the space that fits your business is what it's all about!!

[@bethanydoan3742]

Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us!!! I agree with you! I am a dealer and an employee of my mall. Customer service is huge! Restaging and adding items is huge! Selling what people want to buy is a must!

[@LostFoundDecor]

You’re so welcome Bethany, thanks for watching :)

[@WetheBest96]

I’ve had a small but pretty successful booth in a shop for a year. The manager who did an amazing job with social media left,, now the owner insists on doing it and it’s dreadful. She recently sent out a general public post scolding all the vendors for not updating their booths. It was very awkward but she refused to take it down. Others have offered to help her with social media but she refuses. I’ve been making money but it’s getting frustrating!

[@LostFoundDecor]

Ugh, that is frustrating! I’m sorry to hear that happened

[@missthready]

How do I know what customers are buying? The mall I’m in has a clothing boutique run by the owner and there are many who stock dishes etc. I have not nailed down my exact style as the mall wants the majority of items in booths to be antiques. I’m barely making rent. I need to do something different. I do love the mall I’m in. Thank you for your invite!

[@LostFoundDecor]

Hi Jan! Do you have a work day at your mall? A day you help run the register? If not, I would set aside some time to spend a few hour chunks up there and try to see what is walking out the door. You could also talk with your mall owner and say you’re trying to increase your booth sales, but are struggling to find what the customers are wanting. Other vendors may not be willing to “share their secrets” but mall owners want you to succeed and will probably offer some insight

[@BetziBateman]

Thanks yet again for your wisdom. I hope everything goes great in the move to your new space! You talked about mall owner rudeness, and I have seen it. I retired early due to illness and would love to open a booth and donate the proceeds to food banks I used to volunteer at. I thought it would work with the flexible schedule I need due to flares. I have a faulty immune system and wear a mask to protect myself from COVID and have been treated terribly as a customer by some mall/booth owners. At least it helps me narrow down where I don't want to even ask if they have space! I know this is just something I need to work out, but wanted to explain to people that if you see someone in a mask, they probably have a good reason. Hope this wasn't too far off topic, but the rudeness in this field is just kind of strange. I've met lots of great people, too though!

[@recreatevintagehome1999]

Hi, Melanie! You are 100% correct! I have been in 5 different antique malls and my 1st one was a victim of point #1. Very little marketing and difficult for customers to find. My 2nd was wrong fit for my brand. I’m upcycled vintage furniture and decor more on the boutique side of things and the mall was a true antique mall. I stuck out like a sore thumb with my pale blues and farmhouse whites 😬. There were a couple in between this and where I am now, but I’m finally in a good spot with good consistent sales❤. Thank you for all your help and fabulous advice!

[@LostFoundDecor]

Fantastic! Good for you!

[@sherrybowers8329]

The mall I am in has a mixture of nice booths and junky ones. The physical location is the best in town with lots of traffic. Unfortunately the owner will not put in any security cameras and has one very rude front desk person. The manager seems to take any comments from vendors as personal criticism. Not sure how to overcome this. Feeling kind of stuck at the moment.

[@LostFoundDecor]

I'm sorry Sherry! Sometimes we do have limited options and have to make the best of what is available. I would continue to work hard at your booth space and your own personal marketing, but also keep an eye out for other opportunities you may not be aware of yet! Sometimes it isn't a full antique mall, but maybe a small boutique store or new store looking for help with 1-2 vendors, I've been at locations similar that have done very well.

[@debbievontress8472]

Looking forward to seeing your new booth the next time I am in your neck of the woods! I love both malls you are talking about & yes they do focus on different merchandise.

[@LostFoundDecor]

It’s funny how it can be so different, just across the street from one another!

[@sabrinahiller2433]

Great advice. Painted pieces are slowing down though. People are starting to want original finishes and refinished varnished.

[@LostFoundDecor]

Yes, I am seeing that too

[@cindielbrecht557]

Hi Melanie, got my McCoy roaster and yellow planter today! Makes me smile! BTW I’m the type of customer that likes the treasure hunt in those junky, dusty kind of places. So, proves your point, different strokes for different folks!

[@LostFoundDecor]

Yay!! So glad they made it to you safe and sound. And yes! I like those places too 😊 But not everybody does, and it’s good to know who you’re trying to appeal to.

[@carolehoward]

Where can I find your furniture and paint?

[@tlsimonsson]

Great advise but unfortunately I have only one option for booth rentals in my area & unfortunately it is all the Bad things you mentioned (unclean, stinky, unfriendly staff, etc,,,)

[@LostFoundDecor]

Sometimes that is the case, unfortunately. I do know vendors who have driven up to an hour and a half to get a location at a better mall. Of course, that's a decision that is personal and depends on a lot of factors. Sometimes, you have to make the best of what is available!

[@tlsimonsson]

Would anyone out there be interested in joining me in KY to open a Vendors Market ? There's really no way it could fail & we only have 1 store like this w/in a wide range area. I live in the center where they're building the very huge Ford Battery Plant & we're about to inherent approx. 5,000 families, from all over the world, who will be needing lots & lots of furniture & goods 🤗 Let me know cause I'm looking for a business partner or a new place to set up as a vendor. Either way, this area is in desperate need of a Market like this 🤩

[@amygravel9000]

Hi Melanie, I have watched many of your videos! Watching this one today because I have been thinking about renting a booth and have just been too scared to pull the trigger. Your advice is spot on! My question is this…..should I just go into the mall I’m thinking about renting from (it meets all the requirements for point 1 in your video.) and ask them what sells? How do I find out what the shoppers in my area are looking for? The mall is a mixture of styles (true antiques, rusty crusty primitive, and some with cute decor like Hobby Lobby). Should I just ask them which booths do the best, or is that a question that will irritate them? Lol thanks in advance! I look forward to your advice!

[@LostFoundDecor]

Great questions Amy! In my experience, other booth owners are not always generous in sharing their tips. But mall owners do want their vendors to succeed, so I would ask something like “What is the target customer for the mall?” Or “I’ve noticed there’s lots of different styles here, what style would you say fits your customer base the best?” And then if you do rent the spot, there will be a learning curve in figuring out what does and doesn’t work :)