DECC packed with Junk for bi-annual vintage market
While many work to get rid of junk, thousands are expected to head to the DECC to embrace and sort through it.
The Duluth Junk Hunt is a twice-yearly event that's been held since 2012. Now over a decade later, the event has grown to well over 100 different sellers.
"We started with a half a dozen booths, and now we're up to 150. So, it's really growing. We always get new vendors every time we have the show." Says Emily Broman, who founded the Junk Hunt.
The event takes up two rooms in the DECC's convention space. Broman says she expects around 5,000 people to make their way through the event during it's two day run. While visitors will find a good amount of vintage "junk" – antiques, furniture and the like, many of the vendors are selling their own creations; candles, crafts, and plenty of food.
"You just find odd, unique things, somethings you that you wouldn't find anywhere else." One buyer said, proudly showing off an antique brass candleholder.
And it's not just the junk-hunters who enjoy the experience, vendors say they appreciate the yearly event as well. Todd Scott, a dealer who runs The Rusty Pick in St. Cloud, says he comes to the event every year.
"We do a showdown in Junk Bonanza down in Shakopee. I don't get out to a lot of them, but I do a couple of these bigger, what I call bigger shows. And this is definitely one of the bigger ones, better ones here in Minnesota." Scott said. His booth includes many vintage items carefully curated just for the show.
"We do very well with vinyl, unique items do very well. And then, at this time of year, of course, the holiday stuff does well. You know, sleds. We bring up a lot of different holiday items." With the holidays approaching, Scott's shop is far from the only one selling holiday paraphernalia.
At the end of the day, the Junk Hunt is about more than just what's bought and sold, Broman says.
"We always give part of our proceeds, to a different local nonprofit." This year, Second Harvest Northland was chosen.
