Pop-Up outdoor flea market a treasure trove

By Dale Woodard on June 29, 2021.

Herald photo by Dale Woodard - John Syratt tends to his table at the Third Pop-up Antique and Flea Market Outdoor Event.

It was a bona fide treasure hunt in the Tourism Lethbridge parking lot on the weekend.
In this case, however, the treasures in question weren’t too hard to find.
In fact, they were on full display as the Third Pop-up Antique and Flea Market Outdoor Event took place Saturday.
Among the peddlers of the unique items was John Syratt of John Syratt’s Treasures, a former Lethbridge Herald ad representative from 1976 to 1980 who is now retired and calls Claresholm home.
“I have some antiques and a lot of collectables,” said Syratt. “For these kinds of shows, it’s not the true antique buffs, it’s anyone who comes. I have jewelry and smaller items like Coke (serving) trays, they’re always a big deal. They’re right in production from the early-1900s. Those are keepers.”
So are old tobacco tins and die-cast cars and other toys that typically catch the shopper’s eye.
Syratt said he buys and sells the items he had on display.
“I go to estate sales, yard sales, garage sales, auctions and thrift stores. Since I retired and moved from Calgary to Claresholm, I’ve been buying from famers and closing out old sheds and barns, so I find all kinds of stuff. Old tools, pottery and all kinds of stuff.”
Mandarin orange crates from the 1970s and 80s are always a popular item, said Syratt, as are small wheels from farm equipment and pulley wheels.
“Anything red or green is really popular.”
Some items go even further back, such as old hardware like old door pulls from the 1800s or early 1900s.
“People just like this stuff,” said Syratt. “I sold a couple of these to one lady who is going to put them on the wall. It’s just art.”
For the Beatles enthusiast, Syratt had “The Fab Four Million”, currency with each band members face on its own bill.
“I bought a bunch of those off a lady in Nobleford,” said Syratt. “She had a bunch for some reason.”
As COVID restrictions continue to lighten up, Syratt said Saturday’s show was his third of the summer.
“Normally I don’t do summer shows, but because they’re on, I do. But I haven’t done a show for 15 months up until the first of June.”
The Tourism Lethbridge for Antique and Flea Market Outdoor Pop-Up Event runs again this Saturday as well as July 17, Aug. 7 and Aug. 28, starting each day at 9 a.m. and running until 4 p.m.

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