Everything Old is New Again

Are you someone who loves the thrill of discovering unique vintage treasures? So is Sharon Payer, owner and curator of The Station Park Circle. She has a passion for sourcing secondhand gems and passing them along to others who appreciate all things vintage. That was her initial inspiration when she created the marketplace. Payer had no idea that in just a few short years, it would transform from a small number of vendors into the diverse, bustling marketplace it’s become.

In business for eight years now, The Station Park Circle has won the Best of Charleston award for “Best Vintage Market” for the past five years running. With over sixty-five vendors, there’s something here for everyone—reclaimed and vintage furniture, clothing, art, home goods, jewelry, textiles, plants, vinyl, and books—with every vendor taking pride in their space, treating it like their own brick-and-mortar boutique.

In a video highlight from Palmetto Life, Payer says, “I love the diversity. I love the fact that we support so many local small businesses, giving them the opportunity to do what they love.” She’s continuously seeking out other like-minded, local thrifters, makers, and artists who share the same passion, believing that when vendors are passionate about what they do, it’s apparent in what they offer to their customers.

Providing a curated space where customers can support many local businesses in a single location, Payer explains, “brings the community together and creates neighborhoods with diversity. I love bringing people together!”

“I’m also extremely motivated by the sustainability aspect,” she continues. “Reclaim the past to preserve our future.” It thrills her to overhear customers exclaim with delight that an item reminds them of their childhood, or that it’s something they used to own and love and can now reclaim as their own once again. Those are the items meant to be found.

With “new” vintage and handmade treasures arriving every day, Payer hopes that shopping sustainably and using what is already out there will become a passion of yours as well. She’s confident that when you visit, you’ll find an unexpected gem, something with a story to tell. Whether it brings back a memory or introduces you to something completely new, there’s a little bit of magic in discovering what’s waiting for you around the next corner. It’s a shopping adventure you won’t want to miss.

Want to discover more local? Follow Fig Magazine on Facebook and Instagram for inspiration.