"It’s like Disney for adults that love vintage stuff."
--Paul Donofrio
At almost 4 p.m., a line wraps down the steps and spills into the parking lot in front of Vintage Marché. About two dozen shoppers shelled out $5 for early access, armed with portable fans and straw hats. A little upper lip sweat won’t stop them from finding a deal.
On the first Friday of the month, the small but devoted cohort waits outside the warehouse at 2200 Second Ave. S for hours, eager to wade through the antique oasis inside. Each has closely studied a preview video and memorized a shopping list. But they won’t tell you which treasures they’ve come to buy.
Vintage Marché’s owner, Paul Donofrio, stands by the register next to a 7-foot stuffed giraffe as he prepares his bees for battle.
“Everyone knows their routine,” he said. “Stay in your places, customer service. Treat everybody’s space like it’s your own.”
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