It was the famous raven-haired Betty Boop that got collector and picker Mia Roach to start her own vintage market outside her store in Plant City, The Honey Hole Marketplace.
Roach’s collection of sultry Betty Boop figurines, dish ware and music boxes had monopolized her home office. At the suggestion of fellow collector Janice Bass, she decided to keep a few of her favorite pieces, including three music boxes that were gifts from her daughter. The rest, she packed up to sell at the Big Top Flea Market off Fowler Avenue, in Tampa.
It was there that she met her neighboring vendor, known as “Picker Paul,” and many of his vendor friends.
“I met a group of wonderful people that have such a passion for antiques,” Roach said. “Each vendor has their own passion that drives them to buy that item.”
When she shared her idea to do the vintage market, her new network pledged their allegiance as vendors.
Roach launched her vintage marketplace earlier this summer outside of her store, 2201 Thonotosassa Road. The marketplace takes place on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Once the weather cools down, Roach hopes to extend it to the first and third Sundays, as well. It starts at sunrise and ends whenever business slows down.
The bazaar offers the peaceful seclusion of the country. For some of the 23 vendors, the shadows from trees share the relief of shade. Roach has space for 40 vendors and thinks cooler weather will attract more.
The activity is just a few feet away from the big yellow house at which Roach has been living for two years. There are two buildings on-site, “The Potting Shed” and “The Barn,” where Roach and two other friends sell their goods.
Tables are filled with clocks, re-purposed furniture, wrought-iron goods, sewing machines, bottles, lanterns, cookware and more. It’s not hard to find where Picker Paul set up his treasures. The shed has a red sign made out of red tools, “Picker Paul’s Place.”
For Roach, her favorite antiques are furniture. She inherited an antique sitting sofa from the mother of her late husband years ago. The rich mahogany is in one piece, and intricate carvings are etched into its grain.
“There is something about knowing that a person actually carved that piece of furniture,” Roach said. “For somebody to have that talent is amazing.”
When her husband, Rick, died at just 34 years old, Roach finally acted on her love of antiques. Left with a 3-year-old daughter, Alisha, Roach didn’t want to go back to restaurant management.
Instead, she started collecting and selling antiques in 1993, out of a garage. Then, she spent four years at a small 1,000-square-foot shop, learning the business.
In 1997, she bought her store and property, which eventually became the Honey Hole Marketplace. The name refers to a fishing term Rick used to use when he found a place in the water abundant with fish.
Roach also has been working at State Theatre Antiques for four years. It’s hard to miss the pink building in Historic Downtown Plant City that sometimes glows with its exterior neon lights. The shop is full of highly collectible antiques and some quirky finds, as well.
Roach said she’s learned a lot at the State Theatre. It shows.
The heat from the afternoon leaks inside the store, when two customers come in to inquire about an old stainless milk jug. She knows all its stats and doesn’t back down when the bartering begins.
“It’s so cool to be able to watch them come in and learn what treasures they’re looking for,” Roach said. “When they find it, their eyes light up. And that’s what it’s about.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.