FRESH FROM The FARM HOT SUMMER VINTAGE

There will always be constants in vintage and antique collectibles. Red Wing crocks, antique and vintage books, and salt and pepper shakers are perennial favorites. But there are noticeable trends too. Here are what the dozens of small businesses located at the Fargo Antiques & Repurposed Market are noticing as hot items this year.

Vintage vinyl is flying out of The FARM. Topping the list is rock music from the 70s and 80s. Our vendors can’t keep classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Def Leppard and Styx in stock. Vintage country like Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard are also popular. But we’re also seeing even older vinyl rising in popularity. Show tunes from the 50s and 60s like West Side Story are sought after, as are jazz and swing artists like Billie Holiday and Glenn Miller. Several of the vendors specialize in vinyl and are thrilled to have to refresh their stock constantly.

Toys have always been popular with collectors and remain hot. Several vendors who specialize in toys report 80s and 90s toys as being the most sought after right now. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Transformers top the list. Superheroes are always sought after, as are Matchbox, Hot Wheels and die-cast cars.

Ammo boxes, foot lockers, uniforms, pins and ribbons, books — you name it — our vendors say militaria leaves the store within days.

What’s breweriana? Anything beer related. Lighted signs, posters, trays, mugs and more, embossed with someone’s favorite beer — past or present — are extremely popular. Anything with Hamms, Schmidt, Budweiser and Pabst Blue Ribbon are customer favorites.

The vendors that deal in glassware are noticing a significant uptick in interest. Most popular are colorful mid-century pieces from makers like Viking and LE Smith, one-of-akind Murano pieces and uranium or Vaseline glass. Uranium glass glows brightly under a blacklight. Several customers have told us they have a curio cabinet dedicated to their uranium glass, with blacklights on each shelf. We’d love to see pictures of that!

All the hot items, and much more, will be available at The FARM’s annual Summer Flea Market, to be held June 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and June 20 from noon to 6:00 p.m. Our parking lot will be filled with vendors, music and other activities. There will be sales storewide and a free FARM can koozie for everyone who attends (while supplies last). Outside vendors are welcome for the weekend! If you’re interested in a spot at the flea market, email us at thefarmantiques@yahoo.com. Space is limited, so first come, first served.