K-town Second hand shop

Last month, I found a second hand store while leaving Downtown Kaiserslautern. Many of you may already know of this little spot, and sometimes I am so busy looking outside the Town we live in, that I forget we might find little gems right where we are!

This second hand shop, does not boast antiques or vintage flea market stuff. It's more of a Salvation Army version second hand shop. It was VERY clean, Very organized, and the service was GREAT!

                      Excellent parking Lot. It's right of the main road. you can see it easily.

                              
I was suprised to see alot of the furniture with sold tags.
                    Furniture prices were average, some above average. You will pay what it's worth..

Lots of dishes... all very very cheap. Lots of mix and match, some unique items can be found there!

 Tea Cups

A good place to take visiting guests to pick up those souvineer glassess really cheap!

There was a small section of German books, and clothing, and a teeny tiny dept for kids.

This piece above 100 euros.

There are a few other small clothing second hand shops in Ktown...

A & B Second hand Shop

Birgit's Second hand shop -

                            Have you been to any new shops? Send me a note and I can post it!

Happy Shopping!

Queen's Day Holland- Flea Market

Visit Holland Next week: Queen's Day known as Koninginnedag April 30th

It's a  nationwide Flea market!

On this day the entire country celebrates the birthday of the Queen.
As part of the mega birthday party each year, loads of folks bring their second hand goods to the city parks, and sidewalks.

This is the ONE day a year that folks can sell their stuff without paying Taxes
Visit the link HERE for Maastricht's Market ( I included this one, as it's closest to Germany at 2.5 hours drive)
Visit the link Here for  Amsterdam's Market (aprox 6 hour drive from K-town Germany)


Taken from the Travelsignposts website:

Vrijmarkt – Flea Market

A big feature of the Koninginnedag celebrations is the vrijmarktor “freemarket”. On this one day people all over the country are allowed to sell things in the streets without having to pay value added tax on their sales! People are allowed to set up stalls or have their goods on blankets in the parks or on sidewalks. It’s not just the car boot sales or flea market sales that are exempt from tax, commercial traders benefit from this one day of tax-free sales. Naturally, the amount of sales clocked up on this one day is huge.

* Please note the maps on the website for maastricht, and print in advance. It lists the location and also that of restrooms.
Be prepared for Road closures in the city..Check on parking ahead of time if possible.

 Plan on bringing backpacks, market carts etc... to carry your goods through crowds. =)

 Wear good walkin shoes, bring small Euros for easy purchasing.

And dont' forget to wear ORANGE~!

On The Road To Tongeren........

In my last post I shared about the Tongeren flea market.  And today my post is a little tip from me to you!
If you have a day to spend up north before the market I suggest taking the back road into Tongeren from Maastricht. (N79)  Maastrichtersteenweg turns into tongersesteenweg.

On this road (lasting about 16 kilos)  you will find several little antique shops hidden along the way!

But, First make sure  you stop and visit the Flea market in Maastricht held every Saturday from 10-4:00pm located at the stationstraat ( railway station) in a suburb called Wyck.  It was small, but NO junk here! You would probably spend about 1 hour or less here... just a quick stop!
Prices were very reasonable.

One of the first stores on this stretch into Tongeren on your left is Diana Antiek.

Below is an image of this shop. It is small. But reasonable. Her husband also makes custom furniture in the back of his shop. They speak english.

In no particular order I am going to share the other stores on this long road into Tongeren.
On your right you will see this sign...  This shop is Antik Groothandel.

 Pull in, it's a HUGE warehouse with furniture.  As you can see there are many differant styles. There weren't any prices on anything. However... SEVERAL items were marked sold... So I am thinking his prices are pretty good.

Next Stop (again in no particular order)

L' antique & Design

This is another small shop packed to the gills. We were there during their lunch time, and no one was intersted in coming out to give us prices. A few things were tagged. But best to go early or after lunch if you want assistance.  =)

                                                                        Inside the shop

Kringloop

This shop used to be a second hand store. When I went earlier this summer it has become more of an antique Shop.  2 floors. Worth a stop. Prices were moderate to high.  I didn't get a photo of the inside...

Now, as you are going down the road... on your right you will see a large brick building. If you are driving to fast you will miss it.  There is an antik sign usually sitting on the main  road. I normally wouldn't post about this store as it's VERY expensive... BUT it is worth a stop to admire the lady's style of who owns this shop.  =)

She is a wonderful lady who also speaks english. She also a clothing boutique next door.

Easy to park ...just follow this sign into her shop.

looks like a magazine doesn't it? =0)

We had the chance to stay at a charming hotel right on THIS ROAD!

Malpurtus to view their hotel directly  click here

Very clean, Excellent breakfast buffet included... I think we paid 100 euros for the night. They are slowly remodeling their hotel rooms. So when you check in ask if they have a remodeled room available. =)

If you go up on a Saturday and spend the day shopping these places... and then early the next morning hit Tongeren flea market you will have a wonderful time.

But in case you want to visit MORE shops...

Here are a few shops IN TONGEREN to check out!

( I am not sure on this, but all stores in tongeren are open the first sunday of the month during the market) otherwise you will have to visit on Saturday.. if you know this to be a fact please leave a comment for me)

Many shops are open every sunday... not all. But along the market you will find several open...

These next few shops are all on the main road to the left of the old city walls. They are almost all next to each other....

This shop is not an antik store, But the young owner has GREAT decor ideas. She speaks excellent english and her prices are moderate.

Here are a few other shops in an around the Market area:

this one was on the main road...

                                                           This was in the market platz

                  There is a little tiny walk way follow this sign for some cool little shops.

This is also near the main market platz. All hand painted furniture by the owner himself. Not necessary antik... but cute stuff! Prices were moderate to expensive.

Remember hardly anyone accepts credit cards... So bring cash. =)

I hope this helps you find those special one of a kind pieces for a great price on your European shopping experience!

Be sure to view the flea market lists in Belgium and the Netherlands on the left of the  blog.

Have a Great day,

Tongeren Flea Market

Have you been to the Market in Tongeren?

 If Not, Plan a Sunday and go! Located only 2.5 hours from Kaiserslautern, you can easily head up in the early am and enjoy this market.

You won't find hardly any junk at this one! No weeding through to find that diamond in the rough!

This market can surprise you at times.... One visit the prices will shock you.... the next... it seems like you can't get enough of the low low prices...

Tongeren is a picturesque spot.... It has the quaint European feel, the vendors are friendly, and the goods are unique and plenty.

What are the prices like? I always want to know that question when I am learning about a new place I want to shop at! So Here are a few examples!

These buckets above... $27 Euros

The old apotheke Jars...10-15 Euros

The french spritzer bottles below..$25 Euros

 

                                   You can find many unusual things there in Tongeren....


This time around there were quite a few repainted pieces of furniture. They were beautiful and reasonably priced. Also many vendors are regulars, and are in the same spot weekly. So if there is something you are interested in, or future pieces, ASK about their schedule. Some of the Vendors have warehouses or shops that you can visit. Vendors LOVE to share their information about their pieces for sale. Many speak excellent English. Dont' be afraid to ask about the History of a piece you are purchasing. =)
                                                                  Everyone loves a story!

                                                 Below is a great corner chair for only $25 Euros!

                                       On the main road is a vendor with French painted furniture.

The average prices for trunks were 50-100 euros depending on the condition and size. Dough bowls were on average 50 euros....

There was also alot of refurbished pieces... Check out this bench made from an old bed!

Several Antique shops were open on Sunday around the Market.

Unique tea set

This almost went home with me! If I could have fit it in my Van! (it was already full by the time I saw this baby)

                           

More painted Furniture

                        If you are into Enamelware, this market had plenty of it. Prices were reasonable.

After you have shopped the streets for a bit, head into the Antiek Hall 2 .

Most items in this building are small glass items, and jewelry.... There is a nice little cafe resturant in there, that is open during the market. If you are shopping in the winter months, it's great to get a cup of coffee and warm up!  The cafe also has a  restroom for 30 euro cents.

The 1st floor of the Parking garage in Tongeren also is an Antiek Hall... Head down for some real eye candy!

Look at these baby cribs...

On the MAIN street of Tongeren just across from the Market , there is an ING ATM in this blue building.

Parking:  If you stay on the main road, and follow the curve to the right, you will arrive at a parking lot on the Left side, and on the right side is the old city wall. This is great parking, and easy to get to.

There are other parking spots around the area, if you wish to drive around. **NOTE as of June 2011 there was ALOT of construction in the city market square, and we were not able to get around easily by car, and the main parking garage was inaccessible. So keep this in mind when entering the parking garage on your GPS. =)

Don't want to leave town at 4am for the market? Check out some local Bed and Breakfasts or the Ambiotel.

Military?

Spend the night at the Spangdahlem Inns. Great rooms, and only about 1.5 hours away from Tongeren. Great for a Gas up and snacks!

My favorite purchase of the Day:

This beautiful handpainted stool.

It opens up and has flowers painted inside. $20 euros.

Are you ready to go?

Have you already gone?

 I would love to hear about your trip!