Ten Round Top Antiques Show Venues

As surely as the swallows make their way to Capistrano, treasure seekers make their way to Round Top twice each year for the famed Round Top Antiques Show. Those who come regularly seek out their favorite venues with a focus and intensity that would be admired by the unerring birds en route to California. Newcomers, on the other hand, may fall prey to delightful distractions as they have the pleasure of discovering their own favorites.  Either way, a trip to Round Top is a win-win.

In actuality, we’re the big winners. Whether you’re a long-time shopper or a newbie, we get to introduce you to some of our advertisers, who love antiques, vintage, and handcrafts, so much that they operate venues. We think you’ll enjoy getting to know them as much as we have. Who knows one of these venues, listed alphabetically, just might become your personal favorite.

Bar W Antiques & Collectibles
4001 S. State Highway 237
Warrenton, Texas 78961

Owner: Roy Wied
Established: 1995 (Wied managed since 1997)
Number of vendors: 150+

Roy Wied runs the Bar W Antiques & Collectibles Field on property that has been in his family for more than 100 years.

People said, when we first started, that we were too far out. Now we’re in the middle of everything.

With its distinctive iron entries, the Bar W field is accessible from Highway 237 and FM 954. It’s an ideal place to park and begin treasure hunting at the Round Top Antiques Show. Dealers occupy about 25 acres, and parking is available on 40 acres.

The Bar W show (and its neighbors Northgate and Tin Star, which are owned by the Wied family but managed by others) will open on Sept. 15 and run through Oct. 2.

Wied said many of his dealers stay on site and offer early and late shopping. Some dealers open for business when they begin setting up; others prefer to wait until Sept. 15 to receive customers.

Dealers at Bar W offer a little of everything. Wied said the primitives seem to be very popular—and he’s never really surprised at what his dealers offer.

“One time a guy showed up with a moose head—eaten up by bugs,” Wied said. “We figured he would be taking that thing home. We were surprised when it came by here [the office]. Someone must’ve really liked it.”

ROY WIED’S BEST ADVICE
Wear good shoes: The ground is uneven. You’re going to walk a lot. Eat steak: The Bar W Grill offers steak nights on most Saturdays. Park smart: Most of the Warrenton shows are contiguous, so it’s easy to forget exactly where you parked. Take note of your surroundings. (For the record, Roy is always happy to help you find your car.)

DYD on the Square
Town Square
Round Top, Texas 78954

Antiques Show Production Director: Gloria Hickey
Established: 1970
Buildings: 60 vendors

Round Top’s Do Your Duty Club was founded in 1935 as a women’s service organization. About 1970, organization members started a handmade items market to coincide with the twice yearly antiques shows put on by Emma Lee Turney. Today, the DYD show features arts, crafts, unique items and foodstuffs from about 60 vendors at the twice-annual Round Top Antiques Show.

Our vendors offer handmade jewelry, pottery, furniture and one-of-a-kind gifts. There are boutique items—things that are not mass-produced. Unique things as well as honey, pasta and some canned goods and baked items.

The show opens Sept. 22 and runs through Oct.1. Tents are set up on the lawn of the Round Top square with a dressing room available inside the historic courthouse for shoppers who are purchasing clothes.

Gloria Hickey, the show’s chairman, believes the DYD Club’s show is the only one in the antiques corridor that offers strictly arts, crafts and unique items.

GLORIA HICKEY’S BEST ADVICE
Don’t hunt, park: The DYD offers free parking on Bauer-Rummel Road on the Bethlehem Lutheran Church’s property. Go park, visit the shops along the way and then hit our show. Can’t-see-another: Festival Hill is something you cannot see anywhere else. If you can only make one stop, make it Festival Hill.

Hodges Farm Antique Show
444 Kenney Hall Road
Bellville, Texas 77418
(halfway between Bellville and Brenham on Hwy. 36)

 www.hodgesfarmtexas.com

Promoters: Dawn Hodges and Carol Turner
Established: 1996
Number of vendors: 40+

The Hodges Farm Antique Show began in a garage in 1996 with a few antiques, gourds and Carol Turner’s handmade samplers. From there it expanded to encompass Dawn Hodges’ shop, her log cabin, part of her pasture and a 20’ x 30’ tent.

We were so busy that first morning that we had to have the sheriff’s office park cars. Carol and I added country dealers, folk artists, handmade creators and live demonstrations.

In 2011, the show moved to the Kenney Hall.

“Someone said our first day looked like someone kicked over an ant bed,” Hodges said.

Today’s show has more than 40 dealers who offer everything from primitives to Western-themed items to gifts, handmade goods, plants and yard art.

In addition, organizers offered tours of Hodges’ home, which was built in 1865 and is located nearby, and tantalizing homemade cakes.

“Our show is like Round Top used to be,” Hodges said. “We have the best cook around—and we have air conditioning and clean bathrooms.”

Hodges noted the show will have demonstrations of old-time crafting on opening morning, Sept. 27.  The show runs through Oct. 1. Admission is $1 per person, and parking is free.

DAWN HODGES’ BEST ADVICE
Be comfortable: The fields are an endurance test, so wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Book early: If you want to spend the night, book your rooms or B&B as soon as you can. They fill up fast. Hang on: At the Rifle Hall in the 1980s, I found an early stretcher-based table with a 23-inch board as part of the top. I paid $195 for it, and several people tried to buy it as we were loading.

Junk Gypsy World Headquarters
1215 S. State Highway 237
Round Top, Texas 78954
www.junkgypsyblog.com

Owners: Amie and Jolie Sikes
Established: 2013 (store)

Amie Sikes and Jolie Sikes-Smith are veteran junkers, television stars, boot designers, authors, bloggers, moms, entrepreneurs and the girls next door, if you happen to live in Round Top, Texas.

They first visited Round Top years ago. Today they set up shop at Zapp Hall during the twice annual show and open the doors of the Junk Gypsy World Headquarters store in Round Top with show special hours beginning Sept. 22 through Oct. 1. (It’s open Thursday through Saturday when the show is not in town.)

Texas antiques week is unlike anything else because, first of all, it’s huge, the mother lode of all things junky. And it’s old school: no rules, no bylaws, no unified governing body. Just a bunch of folks who love junk all gathering together at the crown jewel of flea markets.

The store offers home decor items, linens, clothing, Junk Gypsy paint—pretty much everything. During the spring show, the store’s front porch will double as a boot lounge and live music stage, and Miranda Lambert wine will be served under the oaks. At Zapp Hall, their tent is near Highway 237 in Warrenton and is a junker’s paradise. You’ll find the duo shopping the fields at the Round Top Antiques Show, too.

Most importantly, they host the Junk Gypsy Junk-o-rama Prom—on Sept. 29. This prom has become the must-do event with the most interesting prom outfits on earth, music and refreshments and the best people-watching around. Oh, and late night shopping.

THE JUNK GYPSIES’ BEST ADVICE
Boots on the ground: Get to Junk Gypsy for a BRAND new pair of our Junk Gypsy cowgirl boots for your walking pleasure… but seriously… if your boots are comfortable, wear them. If not, wear your walking shoes. Hello, Hello? You may not have cell reception, so be prepared with smoke signals or other communication systems. Dreaming of: Royers Cafe at ZAPP hall AND the pimento cheese sandwiches at Legal Tender.

Lone Star Gallery
4212 S. State Highway 237
Warrenton, Texas 78961

www.thelonestargallery.com

Owners: Kaci and Sterling Van Coutren
Established: March 2013
Number of vendors: ~40

On the first day of the spring show in 2013, Kaci and Sterling Van Coutren bought the property where they now hold antiques shows. Kaci and her sister-in-law had had a monogramming booth at the Neese House for several shows, and Sterling had spent many summers in the Round Top area with his family where an uncle had developed the property to store his car collection.

Unlike other venues in the Warrenton area, Lone Star Gallery hosts several smaller shows throughout the year. Check their calendar at www.thelonestargallery.com.

Theirs is a laid-back show with vendors who are passionate about what they show and sell. Currently, they have everything from handmade crafts to mid-century modern décor—and some of everything in between.

Theirs is also heated and cooled—and they have the “fancy restrooms.” LSG is open Sept. 23 through Oct. 1 and Saturdays year-round.

We want our shoppers to be happy.” We keep trying to improve things—and will have indoor vintage campers available for rent during the spring show and other events throughout the year.

 KACI’S VAN COUTREN’S BEST ADVICE
Be prepared: Bring cash, rain boots and a hat. The most important meal: Eat a breakfast burrito at the stand across the highway from Lone Star Gallery. You should: Visit St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Warrenton, the smallest Catholic church in the world. (She and Sterling were married there.) Hang around: Stay the night.

Marburger Farm Antique Show
2248 State Highway 237
Round Top, Texas 78954
www.roundtop-marburger.com

Owners: The Marsh family
Established: 1997 by John Sauls (Purchased by the Marsh family in fall 2007)
Number of vendors: 350+

For almost 20 years, Marburger Farm Antique Show has transformed 43 acres of cow pasture dotted with historic buildings into an antiques, collectibles and decorator wonderland just outside Round Top.

I think what makes Marburger Farm so distinctive is that our dealers present their merchandise in ways ready to put into homes. There is an eclectic mix with something for every price point.

The Marburger Farm Antique Show was started by John Sauls and Ed Gage in 1997. Sauls, a Tyler antiques dealer, had exhibited at the Original Round Top Antiques Fair prior to starting this show. In 2007, he sold the property and the show to the Marsh family, who were also from Tyler. Margaret Marsh Mebus had hired him in 1991 to manage an estate sale for her.

Even after nearly a dozen years of managing the show for her family,
Ashley Ferguson said she is still surprised by the dealers’ creativity.

“One time someone had a full-size truck on display in one of the tents,” Ferguson said. “Then there was the life-size horse. We and our dealers want our visitors to walk away inspired by what they’ve seen.”

The Marburger Farm Antique Show begins with special early shopping on March 29 ($25 to get in prior to 2 p.m.) and runs through April 2. The $10 regular ticket is good for the entire show, and parking is free.

ASHLEY FERGUSON’S BEST ADVICE
Have a list: Know what you are generally looking for, but be ready to seize the opportunity when you find something really special. Bring a friend: This show lends itself to a good time. We see big groups of friends, multi-generations—it’s fun seeing our repeat shoppers. Don’t miss: Festival Hill. It’s worth a stop during the show or on a return trip.

Old Glory Texas
12401 Washington
Burton, Texas 77835
www.oldgloryantiqueshome.com

Owner: Holly Kuhn
Established: March 2014
Number of vendors: 1

Holly Kuhn is a designer who has owned an antiques shop in Denver for 18 years. She’s shopped the Round Top area shows for years. In spring 2014, she opened her own local space in an historic dance hall in Burton. NEWS FLASH: Kuhn has closed her Burton location and recently purchased a site in Round Top. While she will be sitting out the fall show, she expects her new venture to be up and running by spring 2017.

With a unique space, Kuhn and her team create vignettes with her antiques and decorator pieces that she admits run big and old.

We select thoughtfully and try to show our pieces in a way that inspires our shoppers. We hope they leave us with new ideas and excitement.

As a long-time shopper, for her home and her permanent store, Kuhn has seen many wonderful items. Her favorite sits in her dining room holding dishes: an iron and wood cart with shelves acquired at Marburger Farm Antique Show.

“It’s my current favorite,” Kuhn said. “I have many wonderful things I’ve gotten at the shows.”

HOLLY KUHN’S BEST ADVICE
Bring your phone: Take pictures of what you like so you can remember—then remember where it is. Have a plan: There are so many resources online including the Round Top Register’s map of venues. Eat a cookie: Cookies from Royers Pie Haven are a must—sometimes twice a day.

Original Round Top Antiques Fair
475 State Highway 237
Carmine, Texas 78932
www.roundtoptexasantiques.com

Owner: Susan Franks
Established: 1968 (Franks acquired in 2005)
Number of vendors: 250+(also at Carmine Dance Hall, 300 N. Haupstrasse St.)

Susan Franks first came to the Round Top Antiques Fair with girlfriends in 1980. From the first trip she was hooked. Eventually, she began staging and promoting shows dealing with Western items, advertising and antiques—and shopping Round Top twice a year. She periodically asked the show’s pioneering founder, Emma Lee Turney, if she could buy her show.

“She always said ‘Lovey, now why would I sell this show?’” Franks said.

In 2004, Miss Turney finally said yes. Thus, in 2005 Susan Franks, a Washington County native, acquired the Original Round Top Antiques Fair.

This is the show that started it all. We even have one of Miss Emma’s original dealers, Nancy Krause, still participating. Our dealers continue to offer the finest American and Continental antiques.

The Original Round Top Antiques Fair includes the Big Red Barn (32,000 sq. ft.); Continental and Big Red Barn Tents (20,000 sq. ft.); and the Carmine Dance Hall (7,000 sq. ft.).

Susan advises shoppers to question the dealers.

“That’s how I learned about antiques,” she said. “Our dealers want to educate—and the stories behind their pieces is often the best part: being able to say ‘I got that at Round Top, and this is its story.’”

The Fall 2016 show begins Sept. 26 and runs through Oct. 1. Early shopping is available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on opening day for $20; the VIP ticket or the general admission $10 ticket is good for all show dates. Parking is free.

SUSAN FRANKS’ BEST ADVICE
Devote time: Plan on spending a lot of time at the show. Stay for three days at least. 
Speak up: Ask lots of questions. If our dealers don’t have what you’re looking for, they may know someone who does. Don’t miss: Festival Hill and come back for Round Top’s Fourth of July parade. Enjoy it all: Food, music, scenery—there’s no place like Round Top.

Round Top Vintage Market
1235 N. Highway 237
Round Top, Texas 78954

Owners: Barbara Griffin and Pat Boyd
Established: 1993 (Griffin and Boyd began in 2013.)
Buildings: 50 vendors

Barbara Griffin and Pat Boyd are continuing Emma Lee Turney’s legacy of offering antique and vintage items as well as art at their Round Top Vintage Market. The market, which is open on weekends year-round, extends its hours to open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning Sept. 22 through Oct. 2.

In 1993, Emma Lee Turney, who founded the Original Round Top Antiques Fair in 1968, expanded the antiques venue and added a new show focusing on folk art. Griffin and Boyd took over the Folk Art Fair location in 2013 and expanded to a year round antiques venue.

We have a wide variety of antiques and collectibles along with original art among our dealers. In addition to our air conditioned building, some of our dealers set up outside in tents.

The Round Top Vintage Market has free parking, restrooms and a food court with Stump’s Wood-Fired Pizza offering quick and quality pizzas, sandwiches and salads daily during the show. Breakfast is available as well.

BARBARA GRIFFIN’S BEST ADVICE
Be prepared: The weather is unpredictable, so bring a windbreaker and all-weather boots. Ask questions: Antiquers, junkers and all show associates will happily answer questions whether it’s directions or dining suggestions. Enjoy yourself: Plan another trip to Round Top not during the show to experience local art and music and to eat at one of the local places: Royers, Los Patrones, The Oaks, JW’s Steakhouse, The Stone Cellar, Espressions—and more to come soon.

The Compound
2550 State Highway 237
Round Top, Texas 78549

Developer/Owner: Mark Massey
Antiques Show Production Manager: Kathy Johnston
Established: 2015
Buildings: 5 encompassing 25,000 sq. ft.

The Compound welcomes shoppers to its third show after opening for business fall 2015.

The venue’s 30,000 square feet of exhibit space open in two waves for the Fall 2016 show: the Neal Barn, The Stables and the Carriage House open Sept. 17, while the Peck Barn with Old World Antieks opens Sept. 23. All buildings close Oct. 1. Shoppers will find American and European antiques, mid-century modern among vintage and repurposed items. With ample parking, the buildings are sited around courtyards and fountains.

“We strive to have the highest quality mix of pure antiques, vintage and repurposed items. Each vendor is distinctively different and juries into the show. Each of our buildings are connected by paths, gardens and fountains within our beautifully landscaped grounds.

She noted the vendors showing at The Compound bring extensive inventories, requiring large spaces for presentation.

. Round Top Register advertisers Back Porch Barbecue and Espressions Coffee are onsite as is Distinguished Transport. The Designer Dream Spree will be held on Sept. 26 at 3 p.m.

KATHY JOHNSTON’S BEST ADVICE
Be deliberate: Hit the high spots on 237 first so you stay on track. Plan to visit for several days—or come back a couple of times if you are not staying locally. Must eat: Homemade potato chips with sea salt at Holy Grill’s food truck onsite. Warning: they are highly addictive. Don’t miss: Round Top Family Library in a restored, historic church offers free WiFi and a peaceful garden setting. It’s a great respite in the hub-bub of the show.

To read more about the Round Top Antiques Shows, check out: Five More Antiques Venues and Fall 2016 Antiques Shows: Burton/Carmine, Round Top, Warrenton and Elsewhere.

by Katie Dickie Stavinoha