I don’t know about you, but autumn starts calling to me long before the weather actually cools down. By July, I’m already itching to sweep away the summer decor and pack every nook and cranny of my house with pumpkins and golden leaves.
But let’s be honest: it isn’t just autumn leaves driving us to the antique mall this time of year. It’s the irresistible pull of vintage Halloween.
​
A Nostalgic Trip Down Memory Lane
For me, it’s instant nostalgia. I’m immediately pulled back to October in grade school—classic Beistle die-cut bats and smiling melted plastic “popcorn” jack-o'-lanterns plastered over the classroom windows, and the sheer anticipation of our annual hallway parade.
We’d march around in those cheap, sweaty plastic masks and matching smocks. Later in the evening we would go trick or treating clutching orange blow mold Jack-O-Lantern pails filled with candy.  Decades later, nothing beats the rush of finding those exact childhood memories out in the wild.

The Thrill of the Hunt: An Attic Surprise

Last year, a friend invited me to a private house pick. We spent hours crawling through a dusty attic until a flash of bright orange peeking out of a box stopped me in my tracks.
I pulled out a vintage masked jack-o'-lantern pail, complete with remnants of decades-old candy still inside! The real magic happened an hour later when we unearthed its original packaging—a promotional display revealing the pail was originally a free gift with Dubble Bubble gum.
​
Reuniting those two pieces after a lifetime apart was a true jump-up-and-down moment.

Why We Hunt Year-Round
That emotional spark is what drives so many of us to hunt year-round. Paramount dealer Sherry Smith (of The Vintage Rhinestone) when asked why she collects, put it perfectly:

“Growing up in a small town and the memories of getting to dress up and trick or treat with all my friends. My family always hosted a huge Halloween party with a haunted forest. I always say it’s the kickoff to the most magical season for the remainder of the year. Hunting and collecting Halloween brings back so many memories."
​
Sherry’s personal collection is massive, and she adds to it every year!

The Vintage Collector's Holy Grail
While mid-century plastic blow-molds and classic mid-century paper die-cuts pop up regularly, many collectors spend years searching for early-to-mid 20th-century rarities:

• Papier-Mâché: Early jack-o'-lanterns, party lanterns, and delicate table decorations.
• German Imports: Intricate vintage paper cut-outs and embossed decorations.
• Early Beistle: Hard-to-find 1920s and '30s paper collectibles featuring iconic black cats and witches.
• Wearables & Ephemera: Vintage gauze masks, trick-or-treat bags, and rare original store packaging.

Ready for the Spooky Season?
Whether you're trying to track down an elusive 1930s paper cat or just want to reclaim a piece of your own childhood, the antique mall is waiting. The summer displays are packing up, and nostalgic Halloween treasures are winking at you from the shelves, inviting you into the spookiest season of the year.
Happy Hunting!
Carrie

When people ask me how I got started in the antique mall business, I often tell them I was raised in it. I was at auctions when I was just a baby, strolling the aisles of antique malls as a toddler, and helping my dad at flea markets and bottle shows as a teenager. It’s truly in my blood.
When you talk to other dealers, you’ll hear similar stories. Many of us grew up in this world of collecting. Over the years, I’ve watched a massive shift in how people shop and what they look for—but the one thing that has never changed is the passion behind it all.
The Era of the Complete Set (1970s–1980s)
There was a time when collecting meant hunting down every single piece ever created in a specific pattern. If you collected Cherry Blossom Depression Glass, you wanted every bowl, plate, and pitcher made. That required endless trips to local antique stores, estate sales, and flea markets to track down that one elusive piece.
The Digital Revolution: Expanding the Globe
When eBay came on the scene in the 1990s, it completely reshaped the collecting landscape:

• Global Reach: You were no longer limited to your local shops—you could search the world for hard-to-find treasures.
• A New Breed of Sellers: It wasn't just traditional collectors and booth owners hunting anymore; online sellers joined the queue.
• Platform Explosion: eBay paved the way for platforms like Etsy, Ruby Lane, Whatnot, and Vinted, alongside direct selling on Facebook and Instagram.

From Specific Patterns to Personal Style
As we moved through the 1990s and 2000s, shopping habits in physical antique malls began to evolve. While diehard collectors stayed true to their specific passions, broader consumer trends began to take center stage:

• Decorating Trends: Shoppers started hunting for items featured in home decor magazines and TV shows (remember the massive Farmhouse craze?).
• Mix-and-Match Aesthetics: Instead of seeking a complete matching china set, people began curating eclectic, mismatched pieces.
• Layered Decor: Gallery walls mixed prints, original art, and vintage mirrors. Entryway tables were styled with old books, glass cloches, and textured metals.

Maximalism had arrived! Shoppers began filling their carts with pieces that evoked a specific feeling or told a story, prioritizing personality over perfection.
Do Dedicated Collectors Still Exist?
Absolutely. While modern décor trends have shoppers buying a wider variety of items, online platforms have actually fueled new hyper-focused obsessions.
We’ve seen surges in demand for Fairy Lamps, Hens on Nest, and Moon & Stars glassware. At the same time, a younger generation of collectors is actively hunting down Beanie Babies, Pokémon cards, and vintage pop-culture trinkets.
The Magic of the Physical Shop
Even with endless online inventory just a click away, there has been a huge resurgence in shopping in person. Wandering the aisles of an antique mall remains a favorite pastime. It offers a chance to:

• Unplug from screen time and the digital noise.
• Touch and feel pieces of history.
• Discover incredible treasures you didn't even know you were looking for.

The Hunt Goes On
There has never been a more exciting time to be involved in collecting. With broader selections, multiple ways to shop, and new generations entering the market, the thrill of the hunt is as vibrant as ever.
As time goes on, the world of antiques continues to change and adapt—but it never goes away. Enjoy the ride!
Happy Hunting!
Carrie
​

As we’ve talked about before, the trends taking center stage today emerge in a much different way than they did 20 to 30 years ago. Back then, magazines like Country Living, Colonial Homes, and Martha Stewart Living were the gatekeepers of style. Today, influencers on TikTok, Instagram, and Whatnot have completely shifted the landscape of the vintage and decorating worlds.

One of the most surprising trends to come out of this digital shift is the ushering in of “Grandmacore.”
For starters, let me admit that the name gets to me a little! The home I grew up in featured a lot of what people now call Grandmacore. In fact, when I moved into my first apartment back in 19… ahem, a long time ago, I took a blue goose pitcher with me that I still cherish to this day. So to me, maybe this should actually be called “Momcore!” 😄

What exactly is Grandmacore?
Google describes it as a cozy, nostalgic aesthetic and lifestyle trend that romanticizes traditional, slower-paced activities like baking, gardening, knitting, and thrift shopping. It celebrates the warm, comforting, and eclectic charm of a traditional grandmother’s home, favoring lived-in comfort over sterile, modern minimalism.

How do you bring this look into your home?
It’s all about pieces that tell a story, layer textures, and evoke an instant sense of comfort. If you want to embrace this look, here are the staple pieces to keep an eye out for:

• Country goose décor (of course!) and warm wood pieces with cut-out hearts.
• Handcrafted textures like cross-stitch, embroidery, plush chenille bedspreads, and handmade quilts.
• Jadeite and amber glassware to catch the light on a kitchen windowsill or open shelving.
• Mismatched china, floral transferware, and sweet calico patterns.
• Fairy lamps and colored glass accents to add a soft, magical glow to bookshelves.
• Nostalgic art like botanical prints and painted landscapes nestled into a gallery wall.
• Trinkets and candles galore.

Most importantly, it includes anything that makes your heart feel warm and happy.

All items pictured from Paramount Marketplace & Paramount Antique Mall 

Hunt for the Look Locally
Though many of us never thought this specific design era would make its way back into the spotlight, there is something incredibly lovely about the warmth and slower pace of the Grandmacore aesthetic. It creates an environment full of personality—the kind of comfort you just can't replicate with a modern, minimalist catalog.

The best part about Grandmacore? You can’t buy authenticity out of a box. To get that genuine, lived-in charm, you have to enjoy the slower pace of the hunt! If you're looking to add a few cozy layers to your space, skip the big-box reproduction aisles and spend an afternoon wandering the aisles at the antique mall. From rows of glowing vintage glassware and stack after stack of handmade quilts to those perfect, quirky little trinkets that instantly make a house feel like a home, the booths are absolutely packed with one-of-a-kind treasures just waiting to be rediscovered.

What about you? Is Grandmacore a decorating trend you have embraced in your own home, or are you sitting this one out? Let us know in the comments, and tell us the favorite vintage piece you've hunted down lately!

#Grandmacore #GrandmaAesthetic #GrandmacoreAesthetic #SlowLiving #CozyAesthetic #EmbraceSlowLiving #WarmAndCozy

At an estate sale a few years ago, I stumbled upon something that made my heart stop.

​Was it a rare, primitive antique? The perfect piece of furniture? No. It was a Tomy Fashion Plates toy from the late 1970s. I had a set just like it when I was young, and seeing it brought back a total flood of memories.

I had to have it—and I still have it to this day. Just seeing it sitting on my shelf fills me with nostalgia.
​
Looking back, it was also a beautiful homage to what my adult life would look like: selling vintage clothing and working in graphic design! Of course, not every kid who played the game Operation grew up to be a surgeon, but for me, the connection was real.

​The Power of Toy Collecting
In the world of collecting, vintage toys are easily at the top of the list. No matter your age, there is always a specific toy from your childhood that can instantly take you back in time.

While people expect collectors to go after toys from the 1970s and earlier, the big surprise lately has been the massive drive to reclaim toys from the 1980s and 1990s.

There was never a time when the cross-marketing of toys and television shows was more prevalent. Back then, a 30-minute Saturday morning cartoon was essentially a very long commercial. You had to have all of the characters and accessories!
​
To make it even more intense, the marketing machine didn’t stop at television. Exclusive mail-in offers meant some toys were incredibly hard to get, creating the perfect recipe for scarcity in today's collecting market.

The Modern Collectible Wave
But the collecting doesn’t stop at toys from the 1990s! Lately, there has been a huge surge in collecting modern toys, cards, and trends. Items like Hot Wheels, Pokémon cards, Lulu Figurines, and NeeDoh have taken a massive spotlight in the collecting world, proving that you don't have to wait decades for something to become a cherished collectible.

Why We Buy Them Back
Today, Millennials and Gen X have disposable income and a strong desire to reclaim the toys from their childhood—or finally grab the ones they were never allowed to have. Whether they are purchasing strictly for an investment or, like me, just for a sweet walk down memory lane, the market is booming.

One of these days, I am going to get out those Fashion Plates and design some 1970s styles. Until then, I will enjoy seeing it on my shelves and savor the memories.

Happy Hunting!
— Carrie
​
#VintageToys #ToyCollecting #Nostalgia #ChildhoodMemories #AntiqueMall #HappyHunting

​From Victorian Safety to Social Media Sensation: The Rise of the Fairy Lamp
The antique and vintage world is a beautiful, if sometimes fickle, business. Trends cycle in and out, and items once collected in earnest can sometimes slow to a trickle. However, nothing has shifted the landscape of collecting quite like the digital age.

Today, all it takes is a single mention from a TikTok or Instagram influencer for a "forgotten" collectible to become the hottest, most sought-after item on the market. We’ve also seen the rise of live-selling platforms like Whatnot, which have turned vintage shopping into a high-energy spectator sport where rare finds fetch hefty prices in real-time.
While many trends are worth a mention, one surprise standout has captured everyone’s attention: the Fairy Lamp.

The Victorian Origin Story

The original fairy lamps gained popularity in the Victorian era (roughly the mid-to-late 1800s). At a time when homes relied on candles and kerosene, Samuel Clarke saw a need for something safer, particularly for nurseries and hallways.
In 1887, Clarke patented his design—a small candle holder with a dome-shaped glass chimney. He famously embossed a tiny fairy on the bottom of his candle lights, giving the "Fairy Lamp" its name. These pieces weren't just functional; they were an expression of the Victorian love for ornate art glass. When electricity became standard, these original lamps fell out of vogue, making authentic Victorian pieces rare and highly prized today.

Photos of Mid Century Fairy Lamps from booth #145 at Paramount Antique Mall - @vintage_finds_ks

​Why We Collect
The most important rule of collecting is to choose what you love. Whether it’s a rare 19th-century artifact or a neon-pink Viking glass lamp from the 60s, it should bring you joy. As long as social media influencers and live sellers continue to fan the flames of curiosity, there will always be something "new" to fall in love with.

Happy Hunting!
​Carrie

For many collectors, what starts as a weekend hobby of scouring estate sales eventually leads to a crowded garage and a looming question: Should I start selling this stuff?
Opening a booth at an antique mall is the most common entry point into the world of professional vintage dealing. It offers a middle ground between the chaos of Facebook Marketplace and the high overhead of a standalone storefront. However, it isn't just about "setting it and forgetting it."
Here is a breakdown of what to consider before you sign a contract.

The Business Model: How It Works
Antique malls generally operate on a rent-plus-commission structure. As a vendor, you typically pay:

1. Monthly Rent: A fixed fee based on the square footage or location of your booth (end caps and front-of-store spots may cost more). (Paramount’s rent is based on square footage plus and administration fee.)
2. Commission: A percentage of your total sales (usually 10% to 15%) that goes to the mall to cover staffing, utilities, and marketing. (Paramount stores do NOT collect commission! These costs are covered within the administration fee.)
3. Credit Card Fees: Most malls pass the 2% to 3% processing fee back to the dealer. (Paramount’s fee is 3%).

The primary benefit? The mall manages the labor. You don’t have to be there to make a sale; the mall’s employees handle the transactions, wrap the items, and collect the taxes. (Paramount has a well trained staff who love helping customers find just the right item.)

The Pros: Why It’s Appealing

• Passive Sales: You can hold a full-time job while your booth operates daily. This is also a wonderful side business for a retired person.
• Built-in Traffic: Established malls already have a loyal customer base. You aren't responsible for driving every single person through the door. (Paramount Antique Mall has been open 25 years and has regular visitors who come from coast to coast, Paramount Marketplace has been open 10 years and has become a favorite in the Wichita area.)
• Low Entry Barrier: You don't need a business degree or a massive loan. You just need enough inventory to fill whatever size space you choose.
• Community: You’ll meet fellow dealers who can offer advice on pricing, sourcing, and identifying rare finds. Facebook groups are also a wonderful resource for learning more about the business.

The Cons: The Hidden Challenges

• The "Rent Sink": If you have a slow month, you still owe rent. If your sales don't cover your monthly fee, you are essentially paying for a very expensive storage unit. (Regularly re-arranging, re-stocking and updating your booth will help avoid this pit fall.)
• Theft and Damage: While malls try to monitor shoppers, "shrinkage" is a reality. Items can be broken by accident or walk out the door without being paid for. (Unlike many antique stores, Paramount is well staffed and has dedicated sales floor staff to monitor these issues).
• Lack of Control: You are at the mercy of the mall's marketing, hours, and aesthetic. (Paramount stores take pride in offering well-lit, well-maintained stores and have a full-time social media & marketing manager. Paramount is also open 7 days a week and only closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.)                                                                               

Is It Right for You?
Before signing a contract, ask yourself these four questions:
1. Do You Have a Reliable Sourcing Stream?
To keep a booth profitable, you must constantly "flip" your inventory. If you rely solely on your own attic, you’ll run out of stock in two months. Do you have the time to hit thrift stores, auctions, and garage sales weekly?
2. Is Your Inventory "Niche" or "Noise"?
The most successful booths have a clear identity—think "Mid-Century Modern Kitchenware" or "1970s Vinyl and Concert Tees." If your booth looks like a disorganized junk drawer, shoppers will walk right past it. Even a booth with a mixture of items can merchandise in a way that draws in customers.
3. Can You Handle the Math?
You need to price your items high enough to cover the original cost, your rent and any other fees while still remaining competitive.
The Golden Rule: If an item costs you $5, you need to sell it for at least $15–$20 to make the effort worthwhile after rent and cost is factored in. The higher dollar flips will help carry the smaller profit sales.
4. Are You Ready for "Booth Maintenance"?
A booth is a living thing. It needs to be cleaned, reorganized, and restocked at least once a week. Stale booths—where the same items sit in the same spot for months—quickly become invisible to regular shoppers. (At Paramount, the most successful dealers are the ones who update their booths at least weekly or more often.)

The Verdict
An antique mall booth is perfect for the semi-pro hobbyist who loves the hunt but doesn't want the headache of managing a full retail staff. If you have an eye for curation and a steady supply of unique items, it can be a rewarding way to turn your passion into a steady side income.
Pro Tip: Before you commit, visit the mall on a Saturday afternoon. Watch the customers. Are they buying, or just browsing? A busy checkout counter is the best indicator of a healthy mall. (Paramount has seen steady increases in sales each year and the trend continues!)

​Finding a Mother’s Day gift that feels personal—not just picked off a supermarket shelf—is a challenge. If you are in the Wichita area, Paramount Antique Mall and Paramount Marketplace offer a shopping experience that turns a chore into a curated adventure.
Here is why these two local landmarks are the best places to find something she’ll actually cherish.

1. A Gift with a Story
Standard retail stores offer mass-produced items, but Paramount offers history. At Paramount Antique Mall (West Wichita), you can find:

• Estate Jewelry: High-quality vintage pieces that carry timeless elegance.
• Antique Glassware & China: Perfect for the mom who loves hosting or collecting classic pottery.
• Vintage Fashion & Jewelry: Unique accessories that no one else will be wearing.

Giving an antique means giving a gift that has survived the test of time—just like her.
2. The Best of Both Worlds: Old & New
If your mom prefers a mix of styles, Paramount Marketplace (East Wichita) is the ideal destination. While it features plenty of vintage treasures, it also specializes in:

• New Home Décor: Grandma chic, industrial, and mid-century modern pieces to refresh her favorite room.
• Boutique Fashion: Brand-new, vintage and pre-worn fashion and trendy accessories.
• Handcrafted Goods: Items made by local artisans that bring a "personally made" feel to your gift.

3. Massive Variety (Without the Stress)
With over 40,000 square feet at the Antique Mall and 35,000 square feet at the Marketplace, the sheer volume of inventory ensures you won't leave empty-handed.

• 200+ Booths per location: Each booth is curated by a different local dealer, meaning you aren't just looking at one store’s inventory; you’re looking at hundreds of mini-shops.
• Organized Layout: Despite the size, the stores are well-organized and spacious, making it easy to browse without feeling overwhelmed.

4. Supporting Local Business
When you shop at Paramount, you aren't just supporting one business—you’re supporting hundreds of local Wichita dealers and collectors. It’s a way to keep your Mother’s Day spending within the community while finding something far more interesting than what's at the mall. 

​Gift certificates available!!

Whatever you decide to give that special woman in your life, we hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day!