Lost and Found Market in Collingwood
Imagine being transported back into the 1970′s where everything was wonderfully gaudy and psychedelic. That is a little what stepping into the Lost and Found Market in Collingwood is like.
The place is massive and filled with vintage goodies of all kinds. The store is broken up into ‘stalls’, where I believe you can rent a space to sell your vintage wares. I think it’s a similar concept to the Mill Markets around Victoria.
I love the fact that you can step from one section where you’re surrounded by handbags into another where there is nothing but cameras. My op-shoppy self was in heaven, although I didn’t really have enough time to explore properly.
I would estimate allowing yourself a good two hours to explore the Lost and Found Market. I honestly think this store holds goodies for all tastes – I have admitted before that I do not particularly like vintage fashion, yet this morning I was drooling over a little diamante hair comb. I mean, my usual effort of doing my hair requires tying it up in a pony tail or bun, and if you’re lucky I might straighten it for you. Where would I even wear a tiny flowered-diamante comb?
But this store is so funky my boyfriend, Beau, actually asked me if we could come back next weekend to spend an hour or two more exploring. (You know it’s a good store if your boyfriend actually requests more op-shopping time!)
A word of warning, though: vintage stores come with vintage price tags. This is an instance I would advise researching your products. I hold firm that while, yes, some of the satchel-styled hand bags are lovely, they are not worth $50. I have two beautiful vintage Gucci satchels I bought from op-shops and they were both under $10.
So it can be a little pricey. But this store really does have almost everything you can think of. Do you need a traffic light? Yes, they actually have traffic lights in stock (plural)!
I am a big fan of vintage sunglasses, and there were several beauties I fell in love with. Never mind that I already own several pairs, it was only the fact that I’m a little broke until my next pay cheque that stopped me buying a pair.
Cowboy boots are also a big feature in any vintage store, and the Lost and Found Market had well over a hundred varieties to choose from! Most of the stalls comprised of the giant jewellery that was popular back in the day, plus some boots, maybe some teapots, chunky ashtrays, twenty handbags or so… but each stall was unique in a different way. It may have had beautiful lamps or fur coats, but they were all different.
The furniture was another source of amazement. Take a look at the couch pictured below. It was about four metres long, and cost $3000.
I don’t think it would even fit in our flat.
There is no doubt about it, visiting this store is an adventure. Simply because you can turn a corner and have no idea what you might find.
If you think it sounds like the fun, quirky place I’ve tried to describe, you can visit it at:
1/5 Perry Street
Collingwood
VIC 3066
They’re open everyday from 10am-6pm. Perhaps I’ll see you there next weekend!
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