Inconsolable
One of my favorite Atlanta events that I have never written about is the Lakewood Antiques Market. It is a true gem. It takes place one weekend a month, year round, and has been there as long as I can remember. I have bought so many cool things there, and I could spend a whole day just walking around, people watching, and talking to the vendors. Did I mention the little BBQ joint? I believe they serve beer. It sprawls over what must be acres, both indoor and out. You can find anything and everything there.
Here is a pretty cool Flickr set of Lakewood photos.
It is closing, and this is the final weekend. Their website says that it has something to do with the City of Atlanta repurchasing their lease from them. Wonder what they will do with the area? Anyone heard anything about it?
I can’t be there; I am inconsolable. You should go. Say goodbye for me.
Thursday through Sunday, October 12th – 15th.
p.s. Thanks to Monica on the East Atlanta mailing list for the heads up. Although I almost would rather not have heard until it was over.
those are my photos! thanks for the link. i went to the fair my last weekend in atlanta and really enjoyed it. shame it’s ending.
Those are great Photos Catherine!
According to the AJC “The Lakewood site’s future is uncertain. The city of Atlanta, which owns the property, plans to hire a real estate consultant to study possible uses.”
We can only hope this does not mean the city plans to demolish the historic Lakewood fairground buildings only to create another suburban shopping village that looks like all the other ones that have gone up around the city.
There is a petition to save the historic buildings to at least incorporate them in the plan. Please take the time to sign and mail the petition: http://librarymary.googlepages.com/savelakewood
Thanks Mary
I personally wish the Lakewood Antiques Market could stay. I hate the fact that Atlanta is destroying its history in the name of progress. From what I’ve heard they are hoping to redevelop that area into another Atlantic Station or something similar. To bad such a historic and cultural venue is going to be replaced with yet more faux stucco condos, Starbucks, and Moes. So long old friend… You will be missed.
Catherine – thank YOU for the photos! Hope you didn’t mind the link. Mary, thanks for the link, and Zeigler, I am in complete agreement. What is Atlanta’s problem? Is everyone just completely greedy, so much so that they will sacrifice history at the altar of the almighty Starbucks? GRRRRRRR.
Here is the article about why it is closing.
http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2006/09/26/0927nfxlakewoodclose.html
If you don’t/can’t read it from there, yes the city bought the land but the main reason they are closing is that they were no longer making money at that location. “I couldn’t financially hold on to it any longer,” Spivia said. “[Business] kept going down and down.”
So it is very sad but I guess not enough people were going down there any more.
I went out to the market on saturday and had a great time. it’s a shame they couldn’t keep it going — it’s the best one of it’s kind.
Here’s some photo’s I took while there (leave comments on them if you like them!)
http://flickr.com/photos/codymc/sets/72157594331308572/