5 minute read
THE 303
3003
Don and Marta Orwig at
BY LOU CHRISTINE
Marta and Marta and Don Orwig are no strangers to the Warrenton-Round Top experience. Don says they’re into their 35th or 36th year. That’s over 70 shows. Orwig is not what one might call a theme collector, yet he has the reputation for carrying all sorts of neat stuff. He has an eye for the unique and unusual and sees value in lots of treasures that perhaps others have ignored. Don is the first to say, knowledge has immeasurable values.
Long-time customers—who are not dealers or collectors—shop Orwigs “because they bring in nifty, stuff.” It’s stuff you don’t see every day or maybe never will again. That always been the same modus de operandi, for the Orwigs, no matter if set up in Northfield, the Big Red Barn or most recently at Paul Michaels.
The Orwig name draws crowds and Don says he’s enjoyed almost every minute of it, hauling down goods from Northeast Indiana to show off and share with the hordes that descend upon the twice-yearly show. Don knows the neighborhood and can easily separate the contenders from the pretenders. For his part, he says he’s been so fortunate. “All of the field owners I’ve had the pleasure to deal with have been just great and I am glad to say that today we are all friends.”
Don affectionately speaks of the Harpers, on whose property he has opened his own building that will now stay open Thursday through Sundays all year long. “I have my own building now and both Brandi and Kevin [the Harpers] seem to have the right attitude in my mind about becoming part of the community while aligning their operation with other tradespeople who also are dedicated to the business.” Orwig further says, his neighbors at 303 Washington, or
State Highway 237, in Round Top, seem as gung-ho as he has been and are raring to pull off fantastic shows. The Orwigs will be housed in one of the 12-outbuildings, especially imported by the Harpers to enhance the property along with an acre of land that will have other vendors under tents.
There are a wealth of Round-Top-Warrenton experience all housed under the “303” logo. Most are not new dealers to the area, but seasoned and knowledgeable antique dealers. Orwig is fitted into the largest of the buildings, right out front. He also shows great confidence merging his and Marta’s knowledge with Brandi and Kevin—the experience being Kevin’s business know how and Brandi’s degrees in design and merchandising. Orwig envisions 303 becoming a mainstay show as time goes on.
Like the Harpers, Don sees he and Marta soon moving to the area since his store will be open year round but for now the Harper’s team will man Orwig’s until they move down permanently. Don wants all his friends and customers to know he’s now at 303 in Round Top.□
Catching the Spirit
BY LOU CHRISTINE
The Harpers—that’s Brandi and Kevin—were cruising along with their Worn and Weathered vintage clothing line up Dallas way for a time and then, like what happened to a lot of other people, Covid hit.
Seems the entire way they were used to doing business was interrupted and with the shut down and strict rules, according to Brandi they were just spinning their wheels. But the Harpers were not stifled. Now the Harpers have also operated the Old Christmas Store, next to the Round Top Bank for years and have had a nice chunk of property they casually leased out to folks during the shows.
Yet with the new hurdles to jump etc., the Harpers made a command decision along with their partners, Lisa and Stephen Kaoury, who still reside up north.
“Let’s move our entire operation to Round Top, bring in some older but fashionable out buildings to provide that look,” as Brandi calls it, “and let’s do a show!”
Saying the word, the show is now called “303,” primarily because the address is 303 Washington, Round Top—or Texas State Highway 237, if you will. Brandi. One senses it’s not a field of clerks minding the store, but know legible people with hands-on experience in their trade who have been at it for years. Presently there are 12 outbuildings on the property, not one with any sheet rock but all boards—old stained boards—to give the place the atmosphere the Harpers desire.
The Harpers gave the new Show that name because they sensed it as more related to just where they are rather than making up some other name. As a couple they’ve showed for years at various venues—at Zapp Hall and Dillards Field. But the community of Round Top attracted them, and they were more or less looking to merge with a vibrant community, a town with identity like Round Top. Now they sense it’s the best move they’ve ever made—and without the hassles they had up north!
303 is made up of select and eclectic dealers, those with experience who will enhance the spirit of the show by displaying and selling crafts, antiques and vintage items that they’ve had procured for quite a spell. “Every dealer on our property has vast experience and are hands on,” says
The Harpers are no longer commuters and The Old Christmas Store is now the permanent home of Worn and Weathered where they gussy up faded and well-worn threads to the degree they look fashionable, but not over the top.
Brandi and Kevin, are looking to be a vibrant part of the Round Top community and participate in the promotions that take place off-show that continue to put Round Top on the map in the light it deserves to shine in.
They are very excited about the lineup of dealers who will be manning those buildings and out in their field, each with a story about their craft or trade looking to meet shoppers like you. □
