Coat Check

A Day at the "Show"
By Jo-Anne Lauzer

For a seasoned secondhand shopper like myself, there is nothing more glorious than the anticipation of checking out a new secondhand shopping venue. I had heard about the Tosland Shows, but nothing prepared me for the sheer magnitude of antiques and collectibles that filled the enormous auditorium in Burnaby. Row upon row of the most amazing finds--everything from vintage kitchenware to ancient artifacts.

Originated in 1981 by Earl Tosland, the Tosland Shows have become a regular feature on the antique/collectible show circuit. In 1991 Mr. and Mrs. Knapton bought the show, and today Joan Knapton continues to produce the shows with the support of her son Ken.

The shows are offered three times per year, showcasing close to 90 vendors and their displays. Over 3,000 people attend the show each time. Despite the numbers, Joan has managed to develop a close relationship with many of the vendors, some of whom have been involved since the beginning, as well as with some of the many regulars who visit every show. "I thoroughly enjoy doing these shows and meeting all the different people," says Joan.

I met up at the McPherson Centre in Burnaby with two of my savvy shopping friends--Gail and Julie--Tosland regulars. "It is important to get there early," they told me "before all the good stuff goes." So there we were, at 4:30 pm on a Thursday, waiting in the rain, but in good company. Several hundred others had the same notion and they had come from all over. The parking lot was filled with cars from across B.C., Alberta, Washington, and Oregon. This was not a show to be missed.

I knew it was going to be good when we were let in early to the upstairs area and managed to catch a glimpse of the vendors setting up in the main foyer below. Through wide-panelled windows, we could see the glimmer of all the booths and their wares--more than 70 booths on the main floor and about 20 upstairs.

I was a bit overwhelmed by it all, but both Gail and Julie had a system. "I like to go through it all quickly at first, then I go back and spend a bit more time in the booths that appeal to me" was Julie's strategy. Gail's was different; she liked to take her time examining each object with careful consideration. I myself had no strategy. I was there mostly for the story and to promote my Web site with the vendors, but I was also there for the love of the treasure hunt. So my approach was a bit scattered.

Off we went in separate directions and at variable speeds. Both the upstairs portion and the main floor were filled with a wide mix of vendors from across British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba. Each booth had a distinctive personality and it was very apparent that both time and care had been taken in setting up each display. Most vendors are regulars, having been part of this show since it began, however a few new vendors do manage to join the show each time.

It was easy to wander away from the tasks at hand and be flooded by nostalgia. I spotted a CN kerosene lamp that reminded me of the one my dad had given me a few years back. He had acquired it while working in the mines in Noranda. Then there were the little animal figurines that came in tea boxes ages ago, which of course made me think of my mom and my childhood. I used to love playing with those little critters for hours on end--who knew that they would end up being collectibles?

The show was well laid out, and with a complete list and location of vendors, it was easy to find our way around. Great care had also been taken to meet the most basic of needs. There was a cafeteria offering a wide selection of food, a baked goods stand with delicious treats, and even a coat check. For a small fee, people check their coats while shopping, with all money raised going to charity. The women who run the coat check are volunteers with the Elizabeth Kellie Chapter of IODE (a local woman's charitable organization).

They obviously enjoy the show and their enthusiasm draws quite a crowd--rivaling any booth.

After a short visit at the coat check I returned to visiting the displays and spotted the most amazing thing--a vintage picnic basket that is not a basket at all, but a suitcase. Having a bit of a weakness for trunks and old suitcases, I found this to be truly special. Making it even more wonderful, the owner of this booth, Jeanne Krahn from Finders Keepers, offered me a bit of history on the case. She and her family had been on many a picnic but now that her children are grown, she thought it was time to pass it on to another family. I enjoyed spending time with Jeanne and her husband; they, and their stories, are part of why I love the secondhand business.

Further along was another booth that I found quite appealing, Suzies, run by Susan Larsen. What made her display so striking was how she had arranged her bright and colourful kitchenware.

It was like walking back in time into a kitchen from the '50s. Susan, herself a collector, has been in this business for over 15 years and enjoys the opportunity to meet new people and to make contacts for buying new stock. However, she points out that "people seem less likely to stop by and chat, not like they used to, and I really miss that." I was happy for the invite and took the opportunity to visit for a while. I found out that she has a penchant for E. Radford Art Pottery, England, pink depression glass, and novelty ornaments. As well as participating in 7 or 8 shows yearly, she rents space at the Village Antiques Mall in Fort Langley.

Throughout the evening I continued to meet up with Gail and Julie at various intervals. They were having a terrific time. Gail had generated quite a list of items and recorded each booth number and price carefully. She wanted to make sure to go back and review each item before making her final decision. Julie was interested in a bronze statue of a baby, and was seriously contemplating buying it. I myself did not end up buying the picnic suitcase, but settled on a wonderful clay pot with a lid.

It is not hard to see why people affectionately call the Tosland Show "The Big One." As one of the largest and most established shows in BC, there is truly something for everyone. Both the novice shopper and the seasoned collector can find something to take home at a reasonable price.

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Ken and Joan Knapton