Instead of braving the crowds and suffering through endless lines this coming Black Friday, one can have a lovely afternoon at CityScape Phoenix’s Alternative Black Friday Vintage Market. This market provides a great alternative for those looking to do a little shopping, while avoiding the masses.
This event has free entry to the public and will feature local shops and boutiques. In its second year, this Alternative Black Friday event has much to offer from 20 local vendors, a mimosa bar, local beer and even a preview of the ice rink with a $6 admission and skate rental fee.
Marketing director for CityScape, Celine Hacche said the event doesn't interfere with the other stores like Lawless Denim and Urban Outfitters' Black Friday sales.
"It’s the cure for all the holiday shopping madness: sleep in, shop local, listen to live music, drink mimosas, go ice skating and still get lots of cool stuff," Hacche said. " ... you’re shopping with a conscience by buying recycled antiques from local merchants."
The vintage market will feature Meat Market Vintage, Antique Sugar, Grow-Op, Annie Boomer Vintage, Steel Magnolia and Ruby Mae among others. Similar to a Paris flea market, they will be selling vintage clothes, salvaged, mid-century furniture, antiques, jewelry and home goods and décor.
Ben Funke, owner of Meat Market Vintage, said the event is like a "dream come true."
"Where else in Phoenix can you go on Black Friday to buy an original 1980's ALF shirt, drink mimosas and do 500 laps in an open-air ice rink all before noon?" Funke said.
Funke answered his own question by concluding, "Certainly not Walmart."
According to Funke, who opened Meat Market Vintage in 2005 as solely online, and in 2010 moved into a shop on Mill Avenue in Tempe, his store has a wide variety of items to offer.
At Meat Market Vintage you can find just about anything from between the 1940s to 90s, including t-shirts, leather and denim jackets, dresses, turquoise jewelry and house ware.
Another store featured in the Alternative Black Friday will be Antique Sugar, and its owners are very excited to be participating in the event for the first time this year.
"Black Friday is usually a dead business day, so we are looking forward to it because we hear the market does very well," Anna Sanchez, owner of Antique Sugar, said.
Antique Sugar offers a variety of vintage items including men and women's clothes from anywhere between the 1920s and 1980s. It also has a large stock of accessories, from eyewear and ties, to gloves and luggage.
From ice skating to sipping mimosas while walking around vendor's booths, the Alternative Black Friday Vintage Market should have something for everyone.
Reach the reporter at alexa.dangelo@asu.edu or follow her on twitter @andangelo15
