The Junktion will have classes with its vendors such as ceramics
The Junktion is a new flea market located at 417 Old Foxworth Road and sells myriad items at reasonable prices since opening last month.
“We have a lot of artisan and crafting vendors here: antiques, collectibles, vintage items, things of that nature,” owner Shannon Orso said. “It’s a big variety of things.”
There are prints available by talented photographers, a women’s boutique, furniture and household items, and a children’s boutique is coming soon. Rare Earth Farms will begin selling jams and jellies at The Junktion as soon as next week and will seasonally sell fresh produce out front.
Orso said there are plans for future growth, with The Junktion Studio hopefully set to open in September. Orso said several of the vendors will hold classes and teach how to create their crafts such as ceramic and crocheting classes. She also said there are plans to add a café after the first of the year.
“It’s going to be a one-stop shop eventually,” she said. “We have big goals. The main thing is filling it up. We probably have five or six booths empty right now. The No. 2 goal is getting the classroom open. I think that’s something Columbia needs. It will be something fun to do, and it will be good for kids, good for grownups and groups to get out and do something in the community.”
The opportunity to offer something like that to the area is a privilege, Orso said.
“I would like to see it become a sort of artsy, craftsy focal point for the area, mostly because that’s what we have a lot of in house here,” she said. “We plan to have one event a month. We have our grand opening coming up, our fall rummage sale is coming up in October, November we’ll have our Christmas open house and we’ll have a big dollar days weekend.”
The grand opening will be Aug. 29 through Aug. 31, with the ribbon cutting the morning of Aug. 30 and vendors teaching mini furniture painting, crochet, essential oils and photography classes the following day.
People can register for classes and events either in the store or online.
Orso said through The Junktion’s first month, furniture has been the main seller as well as children items and glassware. She added The Junktion’s variety is what makes it unique.
“That’s why you shop in these places. You never know what you’re going to find around the corner,” she said. “This little building has a lot of little nooks and crannies so it’s always an adventure to see where the next corner is going to take you and what’s going to be there.”
Orso had previously worked in construction and radio, but after moving back to the area last year she had a vision for the property.
“I drove by this building last August and thought, ‘You know, that needs to be a flea market,’” she said. “It took me a year to get the guts up to do it, but here we are. I’m really happy. It’s a great location, and we have a great group of (vendors) in here.”
The Junktion is currently open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and starting in September it will be open on Wednesdays as well.
Orso said it may add an extra day during the holidays.
Pictured Above: The Junktion opened its doors the first week of July and offers a variety of items from furniture and household items to women’s and children’s clothing. | Photos by Joshua Campbell
