The spring event that draws vintage lovers from all over the region is coming back to The Arcade for their Urban Vintage Bazaar on Saturday April 28 from 10am – 5pm.
The Urban Vintage Bazaar is a destination event that brings people from all over the region to shop vintage in Downtown Providence and discover their next favorite find. We wanted to find out more about this year’s event, so we sat down with event organizer Christine Francis of Carmen and Ginger at Bolt Coffee Company in The Dean Hotel to get the scoop on this year’s event.
Christine started out by telling us that she created this annual event about seven years ago for a number of reasons, but mostly because she had noticed there was no show in Providence exclusively for vintage vendors. At the time there were many craft shows happening, but they didn’t want vintage vendors. Instead of competing with craft shows, she decided to create a show exclusively for vintage vendors and vintage lovers.
Seven years later, this show is on every vintage lovers calendar, with shoppers coming to the area specifically for this event. Located in the historic Arcade, there are about 20 different vendors, with a range of specialties and products. Clothes and jewelry are for sale alongside housewares and toys. Vintage video games are set up next to vinyl records.
When asked what makes the Urban Vintage Bazaar so special? Christine instantly replied, the quality of product and the wide range of vendors. This year’s line up includes people who don’t normally sell at shows in Rhode Island, such as Pinkham Road, and brand new vendors such as Colonel’s Collectibles. This is also a show which inspires vendors to pull out their special items, such as Archetype Vintages special high end collections.
A fun event to kick off spring in New England, this event is rain or shine, free to attend, and open to the public. Fitting rooms are on site for shoppers, and most vendors accept major credit cards (although check with each vendor to be sure). Its location in The Arcade assures you’re always within striking distance of delicious coffee from New Harvest Roasters, and lunch options are close by from restaurants Livi’s Pockets, Livi’s Burritos and Rogue Island.
In addition to vendors, Christine has partnered with nonprofit The Forgotten Cat to educate the public on how to care for and stop the growth of feral cats and colonies.
For more information about the event, visit the official Facebook page.
The Arcade is located at 65 Weybosset Street, and has entrances from both Westminster and Weybosset Streets.
Photos by Rachel Hulin