Tag Archives: Flea Market

2012 OUP Photography Tour BEGINS! From PA to DE Part I!!!

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It’s Monday morning, January 30th, 2012.  As advertised this past weekend I spent on the road headed towards Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.  Originally I planned on hitting two auctions beforehand, one in Smithsburg, MD and one in Glen Rock, PA.  Well, those plans changed a bit.  Pretty much last minute I decided to just head straight towards Delaware, and “freestyle pick” along the way, stopping at any Flea Markets, antique mall, or simple junk pile that I saw.  Let me tell you, this worked out great!

A few hours into the journey I realized that I was about to pass one of my favorite Flea Markets that I’ve picked many times, and have also set up at before as a vendor, Saturday’s Market in Middletown, PA.  Had to stop! Very glad that I did as I scored HUGE on a motherload of soda crates, bottles, wooden boxes, and other odds and ends.

After leaving Middletown and Saturday’s Market (very happy & excited about my finds), it was on towards Rehoboth Beach!  A few hours later we arrived, parked by our hotel, and walked up and down the Boardwalk a bit.  It was a little bit chilly, but beautiful nonetheless. I absolutely LOVE beach towns!  One of my original plans when we decided to go to Rehoboth Beach was to eat at Dogfish Head’s Brewings & Eats pub/restaurant.  We passed it on the way to our hotel, and knew we had to have our first meal there!

Before I get into the food and beer, which I absolutely LOVED, I have to mention the sign you see above.  It’s an antique “Drink Delaware Punch” sign which is hanging inside Dogfish Head.  KILLER!  I almost wanted to try to make any offer on it! LOL… I ended up trying their fish and chips meal, which included actual dogfish.  Delicious!  My girlfriend Brandi actually even enjoyed it (she sampled a little piece… she had steak and fries) and she doesn’t like fish.  The only other fish I have got her to eat and enjoy is Mahi Mahi that we had down in Miami last January.

I ended up having 7 Dogfish Head beers total.  A sampler of 5 4oz beers, and two “regular” sized beers.  I am HUGE into the craft beer scene so I honestly thought each beer was amazing, in its own way.  Let’s just say at the end of dinner I was VERY full, and just a bit tipsy ;)

Overall I would give the Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats pub an “A” if I were to grade it.  Great atmosphere, great food, and obviously GREAT beer.  I really enjoy how you can try exclusive beers while you are there, some which will never see the actual market around the United States.  After our meal we both purchased some shirts outside of the pub, in a little stand that they have set up where you can also purchase hats, beer, and other odds and ends.

We accomplished quite a bit on this trip, and I still have loads of photos (and some video!) to share with you guys…. STAY TUNED for Part II coming next, later in the week.  I’m not sure how many parts exactly I will have, but just know that there is a lot to come!

I would appreciate it if you left some comments, questions, ideas, or anything else you may have below… THANKS!

Information on Renninger’s Mt. Dora, FL Antique Extravaganza We’re Hitting Next Sunday Morning!

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http://www.renningers.com/dora/flaexthome2.html

I frequent Renninger’s in Adamstown, PA quite often to purchase/invest in items for my company, as well as network, and do research.  Looking forward to visiting their Mt. Dora operation!  We’re only 6 days away from leaving now!

Second/Last Leg of November 2010 “O.U.Picking Tour” Begins!

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After working the night hustle last night we ended up getting a late start this morning and didn’t leave town until around 1 PM.  I still only got about six hours of sleep, but plan on getting a nice night of rest in tonight.  Regardless, upon hitting the road, snow was actually falling!  I saw snow for the first time late last night when I was leaving the night hustle, and seeing it again today, Winter has pretty much officially arrived.  Boo!

A few short hours later we arrived at Brandi’s friends house, where she is staying this weekend while I am out picking, in Meshoppen, PA.  She lives on THE worst driveway/road in THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD.  You may think this is an understatement, but no, just the truth.  A dirt mountain road with rocks sticking up everywhere, potholes, mudpuddles, you name it.  If you ever see the following sign/area… STEER CLEAR! ;)

Nonetheless, after being very cautious and working my way down this apocalyptic road, I headed towards my hotel, about 3o minutes away, in Dickson City, PA.  This week I am staying at the Fairfield Inn by Marriot. Very nice hotel so far.  They have a nice indoor pool/spa, which I have yet to try.  Not sure if I will or not.  Also a Complimentary Breakfast, as I am looking forward to, as always.

The town itself seems pretty awesome with a Mall, which I just went to, and an insane amount of stores, shops, eateries, etc… The Mall I went to is the Viewmont Mall, and is just literally a half a mile up the road from where I am staying.  I actually picked up a few Christmas presents while there!  The one was a great deal, and something I couldn’t turn down, the other, well… interesting story ;)

Let me tell you, short, dark-haired girls from Israel can be VERY good salespeople.  This company that I bought a Christmas present for my girlfriend from has two seperate stands, but with salespeople that come right up to you, and get right into your face.  They both look pretty much about the same, and have an accent which is hard to describe.  They were both extremely persuasive and “touchy-feely” while demonstrating/pushing their product.  Each of them kept repeating the same phrase over and over during their flirting/sales pitch… “OH MY GOOSHNESS!!” You had to be there, classic!  I also picked up some dinner at the Mall’s Subway.

I also went to the local Borders, simply because I have never been to any of their locations before.  Pretty awesome store!  There are so many stores to explore around here.  I may hit a few more tomorrow, but I just wanted to get back to the hotel, get some work done, and relax because I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow.  I plan on getting up around 6 AM at the latest and getting out picking all across Northeastern Pennsylvania.. I can smell the rusty treasure now!

After finishing my cup of the hotel room’s tea (I love rooms that come with tea in them!), I am going to get a shower, and probably just rest in the room, do some work, watch some TV, and get ready for tomorrow morning.  Want to make it a semi-early night so I can get up and out early tomorrow.  I’ve yet to plan my route for sure, but looking to possibly hit three Flea Markets, maybe more, maybe less.  The ones that I am looking at are in Hunlock Creek, PA, Marshalls Creek, PA, and Carbondale, PA…

I’ll check back tomorrow, enjoy your night!

Part 2 of Denver/Adamstown Leg of “O.U.Picking Tour!”

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Last night Stoudt’s was AWESOME! Great food, great atmosphere, great place all around.  I had an amazing Salmon dinner, and every part of it was top-class.  I am looking forward to going back to try a different dish.

Afterwards myself, Scott, and Bekki all took another pool/hot tub visit, as well as a second workout of the day.  I ended up running about 1 1/2 miles total–not bad for somebody that just doesn’t ever run.  The rest of the evening was filled with relaxation in the hotel room, followed by a VERY saddening 6 AM wakeup, simply because I didn’t feel like getting out of bed.  The hotel breakfast wasn’t as great as I anticipated, and was nothing like the breakfast the Country Inn & Suites in Harrisburg has.  No eggs, no ham, just waffles, sausage, and oddly enough hard-boiled eggs? Odd.  They also had the traditional hotel stuff (cereal, bagels, muffins, etc….)

We ended up hitting three Flea Markets including Renninger’s and Stoudt’s.  I got some really awesome finds at both.  Excited to see what profit they bring (I will be posting “O.U.Picking” Episode 4 on OUnitProductions.com within a day or two…. check it out!)

We also hit one antique shop today, “Heritage Antique Center.”  Interesting stuff, but nothing too exciting or to phone home about.  Afterwards myself and Scott & Bekki went our separate ways and I headed back home, to where I am right now, in the office.  Pumped for next weekend and picking in the Scranton/Northeast Pennsylvania area.  Would like to make a Northwest picking trip (Erie, etc…) sometime soon as well.  Regardless, check back next weekend for more picking/photography fun with the second leg of the “O.U.Picking Tour!”

“O.U.Picking Tour” Begins!

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I just got to my hotel in Wyomissing, PA and decided to write the first blog post for the “O.U.Picking Tour.” My day started extremely early today… around 3:30 AM.  I couldn’t sleep so I decided to start a bit earlier than anticipated.  After drinking some O.J. and getting a shower it was time to hit the road, and so I did.  I hit the ATM, got some gas & breakfast, and headed towards Middletown, PA and its “Saturday’s Market,” where I took the above sunrise shot.

There were quite a few vendors there for it being as cold as it was, and some good finds, but I didn’t pop on too much.  I ended up getting six different items from the same guy, who was quite the character.  We joked around, haggled on some prices, and I think I ended up getting some good things which will bring a profit.  After walking around about four hours, and thinking about a few things while pricing others, I decided to head to Denver/Adamstown, PA and freestyle pick.  Adamstown is known as “Antiques Capital U.S.A.” and let me tell you, it doesn’t disappoint.  There are so many different shops right next to each other.

I went to five seperate shops– “German Trading Post,” “Adamstown Antique Gallery,” “Mad Hatter,” “272 Antiques,” and “Time Matters.”  All were very good, most over-priced, as is the case with most antique “shops.”  I did get a few good finds that I am sure I can make profit on, and was actually able to haggle the price down on one as I talked to one of the dealers who happened to be there.

After a good 8 hours of picking I checked into my hotel, the Country Inn & Suites (the second one I’ve stayed at in the last month).  Let me tell you, this one is even better than the last one so far!  Very comforatable room, tea in the room (VERY big for me), friendly service (the front desk clerk already called my room to see that I have everything I need), and good location (right next to a Mall!).  I am about to go to the excersize room and get in a workout, and afterwards possibly hit the inside pool & hot tub (I will at least at some point tonight).

Tonight my friend Scott and his wife Bekki are coming and they got a room in the same hotel.  We’re going out picking early tomorrow morning and hitting both Renninger’s Flea Market as well as Stoudt’s Flea Market, a few others, and more shops.  Beforehand I’ll be taking advantage of the hotel’s Complimentary Breakfast (of course!).  Stoudt’s is not only an antique shop BTW, but also a brewery, and a pub/restaurant!  We’re going to eat there later on tonight.  I’ll check back in with an update possibly tonight, or at least tomorrow.  There’s a chance that it might not be until late tomorrow night/early Monday morning, but we’ll see. Working the “night hustle” when I get back into town tomorrow night.  Gotta keep the hustle up… LET’S GO!!!!!!!

As 2011 Tour Grows Closer…. “O.U.Picking” Tour Emerges for November 2010!

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For two weekends at the end of November I will be hitting the road hitting Flea Markets and picking for my retail business, OUP on eBay!

Follow along RIGHT HERE! And make sure you check out OUP on eBay!

http://stores.ebay.com/OUnitProductions

Day 2… Visiting Hershey, PA Again… Plus Denver, PA!

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Just got home from a VERY long, yet VERY fun weekend of traveling pretty much across the State of Pennsylvania.  We got up early today, well I got up before my girlfriend, around 6 AM.  After enjoying the hotel’s AMAZING breakfast (which included eggs, hash browns, toast, ham, fresh fruit, pretty much EVERYTHING you can imagine) and checking out, it was back on the road!

We decided to head back to Middletown, PA and their “Saturday’s Market.” On Sunday it’s still enjoyable, just MANY less vendors and the indoor market isn’t open.  I tend to like the outdoor markets better anyway, but by the time we got there today there really weren’t many deals going on. After being slightly disappointed, I decided to head to another Flea Market I found, this one being about an hour or so away in Denver, Pennsylvania.  We didn’t get there until around Noon, but let me tell you, this one DID NOT disappoint! TONS AND TONS of vendors, even though a lot were packing up and leaving when we got there. I plan on going back really soon and making sure to get there early in the AM (we’re talking 5 or 6 AM for sure).

It’s called “Renninger’s Antique & Collector’s Market” and it’s something to check out if you are in to antiques, etc… like I am.  In fact, the entire town of Denver, PA has many flea markets and antique shops.  I pretty much just scratched the surface there.  I honestly cannot wait to go back!

After leaving Denver, PA it was back towards Hershey! Once we got there we actually got to explore a new place to eat, this one being “Fenicci’s of Hershey,” right on Chocolate Avenue.  Great atmosphere, alright service, great food.  I enjoyed my Fried Haddock meal, although both the Tartar Sauce and the Cole Slaw were, well, pretty much NASTY.  I am going to be honest here.  Everything else though… on point.  I can’t say it was the “best meal I ever had,” but I can say that I would go back. Take that for what you will…..

Afterwards, OF COURSE, it was off to enjoy our last day at HersheyPark and its “HersheyPark In The Dark” activities!  Another very fun afternoon/night for sure.  Overall it was a very fun “business/pleasure” weekend.  I feel that I found some great items on my picking adventures, and had a BLAST traveling around, exploring, at our hotel, the park, and everywhere else we stopped.  We will be back in Hershey in December for “Christmas Candylane” and who knows, maybe a surprise stop here or there before year’s end leading up until Florida in January 2011 when the 2011 OUP Photography Tour actually kicks off.

I love exploring/traveling and plan to do so more and more as new business opportunites begin presenting themself, etc…. For now I’ll leave you with a few more shots of today’s fun at HersheyPark! Enjoy, and check back soon, there just may be some surprises/stops, etc… in store!

OUP Photography Tour Previews 2011 Tour With Stops In Middletown, PA, Dover, PA, Hershey, PA, and Harrisburg, PA!

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After waking up early this morning around 6 AM, doing some work in the office, getting a shower, and getting ready… it was on the road! We stopped at one of our local Sheetz gas stations, got some gas and some coffee/food, etc.. Afterwards I hit the Post Office, the bank, then was finally, actually, on my way!

A short two hours or so later we arrived in Middletown, Pennsylvania and it’s “Saturday’s Market,” a local Flea Market/Farmer’s Market/little-bit-of-everything stop.  It was really cool there.  I was able to get some cool pieces which I am more than sure I can turn a profit on. There were a lot of people there, and next time I will try to get there earlier in the morning (on Saturday they run 4 AM until 4 PM, we got there around 10:30 or so). Nonetheless I found some great finds!  I will post a video in a few days on OUnitProductions.com talking about/showing them.

After scoring some hot-ticket items and getting some great information/pricing ideas, etc.. it was off to Dover, Pennsylvania and their Newberrytown Peddler’s Market.  It wasn’t as good as the first, with many less vendors, and items in general.  I was able to find a few things, and we had an AMAZING lunch at this place called “Vicki’s Place.”  Their selling slogan is “Home of the Baldhiller Hot Dog,” and let me tell you, this thing was AMAZING. A hotdog with BBQ sauce, pulled pork, and onions. Delicious! My girlfriend got a steak sandwich, which she said was also pretty good. Great little find!

After the great lunch and looking around a little bit more trying to find some diamonds in the rough, it was off to our hotel, which is pretty amazing.  It’s the Country Inn & Suites here in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, which I am writing this from right now.  They have, what looks to be, a great breakfast, pretty amazing rooms, an indoor pool & hot tub, and some other cool features.  After posting this we might be going down to take a swim actually before it closes for the night.

To end the night, OF COURSE, we hit HERSHEYPARK IN THE DARK! Had an awesome time there, ate some good food, played some games, and explored their “Creatures of the Night” event at ZooAmerica.  We’ll be heading back tomorrow to have some more fun!

Awesome day so far! Ready for an awesome night, then getting up around 7 AM for the hotel’s breakfast.  Afterwards I’m looking to go out picking at another flea market or possibly some yard sales.  We shall see, I plan on doing some research later this evening. Then tomorrow afternoon it’s back to HERSHEYPARK IN THE DARK! STAY TUNED FOR MORE UPDATES!