Meet me at the Antique Faire
What is it about Alameda that makes folks insist on tacking an extra “e” on to words unnecessarily? Must be that old tyme feel that pervades Alameda. I have to say I have never been to the Alameda Point Antiques Faire, maybe because I’m not the sort of shopper that gets lured to that type of shopping experience, plus I’m not a huge fan of antiques either. However I have to say that the recent article in the Chronicle about the antiques fair was very compelling. Even the items described in the narrative sounded interesting, but then I saw the photos and my interest in them plummeted. Like I said, I’m not a fan of antiques, but I can see why other people like them.
I imagine what is appealing about the Antiques Faire is the teeming masses of people that are all in the same boat as you are, looking for that one-of-a-kind bargain. Personally, I liked to story of the Alamedans who bike to the Faire and sometimes even carry small items home on their bikes:
…[Marcy] Voyevod, a designer who lives in Alameda, and her husband, Tim Englert, have been getting on their bikes and riding to the show since it started in 1998.
Englert collects things like postcards and pop bottles, but once he found himself cycling home with a small table on his shoulders. “Usually,” Voyevod said, “if we find something big, we just ride home and drive back for it.”
Can I just say that writer is totally from the midwest? “Pop” is a term I stopped hearing once I left the midwest, it was always “soda” in California, never “pop.”
Also, it’s quite a sight to see everyone leaving all at once the Faire is over, cars will line up on Atlantic from Webster to Main to leave with their treasures. Although during the last fair, our family was walking home from Starbucks and unfortunately some of the drivers don’t necessarily respect the traffic signals (or pedestrians) and decided to run the red to turn from Atlantic on to Webster to get into the tube. So he ended up cutting into our guarded pedestrian sign and gridlocking through the intersection. Because it would have been too much for him to wait for the next light.
Maybe one of these days I’ll make it out to the Antiques Faire just to see what all the hoopla is about.
I went with a group of family members, it was a lot different than I thought. I only stayed for about 10 minutes as I really am not into antiques or flee markets either. They stayed and even bought a few things cheap. It was amazing how many people who were there. I might try it again sometime, who knows.
Comment by Joel — March 19, 2008 @ 7:35 am
I have a seen a lot of great antiques, mostly furniture, which came from the Auctions by the Bay. They vet the items at the Faire (which is different) to insure they are a certain number of years old, but to tell the truth the Faire seems like a typical flea market without any new stuff. I’m sure if you go often you may find interesting stuff, by my search for furniture was a bust.
The faire was in fact reminiscent of the original Island Auto Movie flea market from when I first went their in 1969. Back then there were no vendors of new cheap merchandise like at the Coliseum flea. For years it was an amazing landscape of all kinds of great stuff. many of my carpentry tools were bought there and more than once we paid the rent by collecting all kinds of yard sale type items and getting in line at six a.m. to get a good stall. Them was the days alright.
Lauren, when Mr. Michaan proposed the antiques faire there was opposition from west end folks including the Sweeney’s ( Jim and Jean) who really, really didn’t want another flea market. I think traffic was one of their main concerns. Were the old timers right?
Just like morning commute snafus, the mass exodus is once a week and short lived. Guess you have to time pedestrian trips to Starbucks.
Comment by Mark I — March 19, 2008 @ 8:17 am
Mark : Speaking as an “Old timer” I was in favor of the Faire, I live in the West End and I still think it is a very fine event for the West End.
The Faire is actually once a month and causes very little disruption. The major traffic goes down Atlantic to Webster and out the tube. I wish we could get some of those people on to Webster during the day, perhaps some day we will.
John P.
Comment by john piziali — March 19, 2008 @ 8:50 am
Another case of the formerly nay-sayers (the Sweeney’s in this case) being proved right! If poor Lauren can’t get to Starbucks and back because of the traffic then it becomes a big deal.
If this is a biggie for our dear blog hostess, just wait until the Landing and the Point are all developed. Then it will be traffic 24×7, not just the day of the antique fair(e).
You might not be able to cross the street to get to Starbucks … oh the calamity!
Comment by not poguemahone — March 19, 2008 @ 8:53 am
Not sure if I’ll make it to the Faire next month. I have some shopping to do at the Towne Centre. I may go to ye newe TJ Maxxe, then drop into Olde Navye before finishing up at Bedde, Bathe and Beyonde.
Comment by Peter — March 19, 2008 @ 10:17 am
Early on in my tenure on Council this was a big issue, especially since I’m from the West End and grew up practically right next to the closed base, where my parents and many of my friends still reside. In any event, back when Jerry Goldman and Allan Michaan sought to get Antiques by the Bay going I said that they could not unless they guaranteed that things would be antiques, i.e. at least 20 years old. At the time, Alan was VERY upset with this (I still have the newspaper article where he blasts me for this). He was always going to sell antiques, to be sure; but I think he felt that the rule, if adopted in the agreement, could be too stringent. But since it was deadlocked 2 for (Appezatto, DeWitt) and 2 against (Lucas, Kerr), to get his use permit Allan had to abide by my rule. One year later, I’m reading the East Bay Express and, lo and behold, there’s a display ad loudly touting the fact that things there are GUARANTEED antiques (i.e. at least 20 years old)! Since Allan was quite involved in town, of course, we chatted about this and he let me know that, actually, that “20 year” rule wasn’t so bad after all. It helped in cementing Antique’s reputation as a place of genuine antiques, and not a flea market. So, looking back, when I see him, Allan and I get a good chuckle out all of this. And, of course, I looove telling this story. I’m glad to see that, to this day, they are keeping up their end of the bargain. After all, it’s in the agreement! BTW: I’m fine with Jerry’s “gray area” because I trust that, if there’s gonna be an error, they would err on the side of quality. Look at the good job they did with the old theater on the base, as well as their quality Auctions By the Bay production. So, in the end, the neighborhood got what it wanted (strong assurances), Alameda Point got what it wanted (ps: it generates good cash for Alameda Point), Jerry and Allan got what they wanted, and, above all, antique-shopping consumers got what they wanted. But John P. is right: there’s probably a need to figure out a way to get a greater share of shoppers to also spend more time and money at Webster Street, particularly around Tillie’s.
Comment by Tony Daysog — March 19, 2008 @ 11:13 am
It’s not about not being able to cross, it’s about the lack of respect that some drivers have for pedestrians. A red light still means stop right?
Comment by Lauren Do — March 19, 2008 @ 11:23 am
The intersection of Webster and Atlantic is miserable and poorly designed. Traffic violations are rampant and, for some reason, there is little police enforcement. Crossing on foot is very risky even if you have the green light. Some motorists floor it heading into the tube. I’ve seen vehicles going over 100 mph. At least twice in the past year or so motorists have lost control and crashed into the fence by the senior housing.
Comment by AlamedaNayTiff — March 19, 2008 @ 12:11 pm
That is a horrible intersection, and the walk from Bayport to Starbucks is enough to make me not wanna go. It’s short and all, but it is not at all meant for pedestrians. Whats with that lot, next to the pseudo used car dealership? Does anyone know? If the CoA sidewalk gets a C-, this side doesn’t even register.
John P. I’ve wondered that too, why don’t people that head to the point ever stay around and head to Webster? Well, aside from the fact that there isn’t too much to do,there are few exceptions though, Coming out of the tube and turning onto Atlantic, you would never guess that past the walgreens, Burger king, and seedy looking motel there is actually a quaint tree lined, “main street” with a few great restaurants. From that intial perspective, it looks like some random street in San Leandro.
Comment by MarkD — March 19, 2008 @ 12:29 pm
I have been collected old stuff since I was 10 years old. Me and my folks used to go to the Nashville flea market all the time.
As far as the Bay Area, I’ve found that the antique fairs, including the one in Alameda is overpriced. The secret is to go to either the Oakland/Laney college flea market, or the one over at the arena. Of course these places aren’t as squeaky-clean and as “antique-y” as the antique fair, I’ve found some fantastic deals there over the years including a crank-up Victrola I bought for $10. I don’t think the seller knew what it was. It’s sort of exciting going to these places because you never know what you’ll find.
The other good place which is in Alameda is the Salvation Army on Park Street. That places always seems to have scads of old furniture and old stuff. Goodwill isn’t as good; its all clothes.
Comment by edvard — March 19, 2008 @ 12:39 pm
Post # 9 Mark D.
You are so correct, the greeting one gets coming into Alameda at Webster and Atlantic is terrible. I wish there was some way to slow the traffic down as it comes toward that intersection, and let people know that there is actually the beginnings of a very nice small shopping district ahead.
At one time the owner of that car lot tried to develop his property with two nice small buildings that were to be used as a high end car detailing and sales business. He had some very nice landscaping facing the tube, but our city council turned the project down. I believe they had other idea’s for that corner but nothing ever happened so there it is ugly as ever.
As for lauren’s comments on the way people drive I would have to agree with her, some of the driving tactic’s that I see belong at an destruction derby but that’s urban living.
Comment by john piziali — March 19, 2008 @ 4:16 pm
The city has done absolutely nothing to improve that intersection. I rarely see police. The atmosphere is one of “anything goes.”
Webster Street looks like the depths of the depression. Even the KFC closed its doors. They need to hire someone like Robb Ratto. Does Webster Street even have a merchants’ association like PSBA? The whole stretch is just gas stations, fast food and liquor stores. Alameda’s stepchild.
Comment by AlamedaNayTiff — March 19, 2008 @ 4:43 pm
There is a merchants association - http://www.westalamedabusiness.com/waba/
Comment by irish — March 19, 2008 @ 5:56 pm
I think that KFC dated back to the old flea market. In 1969, all I knew of Alameda was the flea market and the tube, get in and get out. For folks coming to the Faire, it’s surely the same.
Peter, I really your poste. Funny, that ye olde garbage leaps over the Victorian era and goes back to east coast stuff like Sturbridge Village and Williamsburg. What’s it doing here?
Comment by Mark I — March 19, 2008 @ 6:04 pm
In regards to those who think that the the intersection at atlantic and Webster is bad: quit whining. Of course it is going to be bad. People are getting ready to get into the Webster tube, and then of course there’s a long stretch between the military base and Webster. I’ve walked,biked, and ridden through that area many a time and I’ve never had the perplexing problems some of you seem to be having. Perhaps if bicycling is such a problem for you, then I’d suggest driving instead.
More on flea markets. When I was younger, I used to go to this weird flea market called “Green Acres” It was in what had once been a Green Giant grocery store, which used to be a chain in the South. This flea market had people selling chickens, lawn mower parts, fish, socks( there was a guy who sold them with a hat that said ‘Sock Man’ on it) and any number of odds and ends venders. I recall that in the winter, many booths in the parking lot had 50 gallon oil drums turned into firewood heated furnaces. People used to literally clean out their houses and sell it all at this flea market. I used to be able to pick up beautiful art deco pieces for sometimes a few dollars. After moving to California, I half entertained the thought of ‘importing’ stuff from TN and reselling it for the insanely high prices people would be willing to pay here.
I have yet to go the the flea market in San Jose, but I’ve heard it is fantastic.
By the way- I think Webster is fine just the way it is. It sort of makes a nice contrast to the overly yuppified stores and eateries on park.
Comment by edvard — March 19, 2008 @ 6:06 pm
#15
No, Atlantic and Webster does not have to be as bad as it is. God did not deem it so, the city council did. Different traffic engineering would change the dynamics. Residents of the Fernside would never allow these conditions in their neighborhood.
So, is Webster Street where Alamedans go slumming when they are bored of Park Street? Echoes of the bad old days in Alameda.
Comment by AlamedaNayTiff — March 19, 2008 @ 6:38 pm
I believe Catellus is about to start construction at Atlantic (RAMPW…dumb ass name for a street) at Webster…although I am not sure of the changes they will make.
Comment by Joel — March 19, 2008 @ 7:34 pm
>> our family was walking home from Starbucks and unfortunately some of the drivers don’t necessarily respect the traffic signals (or pedestrians) and decided to run the red to turn from Atlantic on to Webster to get into the tube. So he ended up cutting into our guarded pedestrian sign and gridlocking through the intersection. Because it would have been too much for him to wait for the next light.
Wow, imagine that. Sounds like Otis, except it’s every day.
Comment by Jack B. — March 20, 2008 @ 7:28 am
#15, I be tthe business owners on Webster would LOVE to get the foot traffic that yuppified Park St. gets.
Comment by MarkD — March 20, 2008 @ 7:32 am