By Joshua Gutierrez
For Gold Country Media
To say the least, the word “junk” conjures up a pretty negative image.
But for Linda Albers of The Great Junk Hunt, the word represents a lifestyle built around one-of-a-kind treasures, vintage furniture and farmhouse décor. This past weekend, the “Junkin’ lifestyle” safely made its way to the Roebbelen Center @the Grounds in Roseville, as the vintage market and swap meet drew hundreds of guests.
For Albers, who founded The Great Junk Hunt more than a decade ago, the legacy of her mother’s epic trips to the thrift store or estate sales is entwined in the show’s philosophy. With the COVID-19 public health crisis impacting many of the vendors who make up The Great Junk Hunt, Albers said the opportunity to utilize the expansive 160,000-square foot Roebbelen Center was critical.
“I think we are all just grateful to be here,” Albers said. “We are thrilled that our first-time show in Northern California will be our most successful. A lot of people have been impacted by this, so the ability to gather safely is one of the reasons why this will be one of our best and biggest shows.”
Over the past decade, The Great Junk Hunt has established itself as one of the premier vintage markets up and down the West Coast. With a resume to boast, The Great Junk Hunt has been voted top traveling vintage market in the USA by Flea Market Style magazine; listed as a TOP 5 Flea Market in America by Flea Market Decor magazine 2019; and named one of the Top 15 Flea Markets in America by Romantic Homes Magazine.
One of the reasons for the show’s success, are long-lasting relationships with vendors all across the Western United States. Whether it was from Washington State or from the Inland Empire of Southern California, many vendors jumped at the opportunity to showcase their business after several challenging months.
Selling reclaimed materials to build old furniture, Owner Christy Hooper of JC Farmhouse Design Co. in Salem, Ore., said she was glad to make the eight-hour trek. As Hooper explains, the distance travelled is not that great of obstacle when “junkin’” is simply a way of life.
“This lifestyle is unique and different, but in a good way,” Hooper said. “I think it’s the fact that at every one of these shows, you will find something that’s one-of-a-kind. That’s the biggest thing, it’s never the same thing. It really is like a treasure hunt for something that you won’t find anywhere else.”
To learn additional information or to find future shows of The Great Junk Hunt, visit thegreatjunkhunt.com or follow @thegreatjunkhunt on Facebook and Instagram. Visit atthegrounds.com or follow @atthegroundsroseville on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date on future events. For those interested in learning more about @the Grounds SAFE. CLEAN. HEALTHY. protocol, visit atthegrounds.com/safe.
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