WORTH THE DRIVE With the population of 90 swelling to 150,000 during each of their three annual Antiques Weeks, Round Top, Texas has become the mecca for antique shopping and Texas Monthly has named it “The Aspen of Texas.”
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taly, France, and Round Top? Ask celebrities, influencers, and designers where they like to antique shop, and Round Top, Texas is usually in the mix. You may just run into Chip and Joanna Gaines of "Fixer Upper" fame, who dedicated an entire show to their family trip to Round Top Antiques Week, where Joanna, giddy with anticipation, secured unique treasures for her clients.
A LITTLE BACKGROUND More than 50 years ago, Emma Lee Turney, “Godmother of Texas antiques,” was recruited to organize a show in the hopes of restoring Round Top. And restore Round Top she did. Now considered an antiques hub, the largest antiques show in the country boasts the 30,000-square-foot Big Red Barn, along with The Continental Tent. During shows, you’ll also find an overflow of vendors displayed in fields, barns, and tents for more than 12 miles down Highway 237. Every spring, fall, and winter, serious shoppers fly in on helicopters, making sure they are in place alongside first timers and top retailers in search of new design trends. Standing behind the yellow tape, each is poised and ready to leap as soon as the metal triangle rings at exactly 9 am, signaling the start of the show. Dedicated attendees say it is not just the thrill of the hunt that brings them back each year, there is also a great sense of community and a fun vibe. Twice a year, the owners of Junk Gypsy celebrate the Junk O’ Rama Prom. Originally started as an homage to the forgotten prom dress, it has now become an eclectic costume party fueled by live music, food and drink. 14
J A N UA R Y 2024
The Original
by Linda A. Thornton
Round Top AntiquesFair
SHOP ROUND TOP LIKE AN EXPERT Tickets are now on sale for the January 19–20, 2024 fair. The show runs daily from 9am to 5pm. The $10 fee includes parking and is good for both days of the show. Tickets are available online or cash only at the entrance gate. Plan a day trip to Round Top, about a two-hour drive, or book way ahead and treat yourself to an area hotel such as The Red Antler, Rancho Pillow, Hotel Lulu or the Wander Inn. Plan ahead for dinner reservations. Some area favorites include Royer’s Round Top Café and Garden Co. Marketplace and Café. Review the Round Top Show Guide beforehand - available online - to familiarize yourself with the array of vendors. Wear comfortable shoes. Bring cash and prepare to haggle. Porters are available to help you load heavy items, and professional shipping services are also available on site. Take advantage of a curated day trip. Starting in 2024, designers such as Chad Dorsey and Claire Staszak are planning to host lunch, VIP access to the best halls, and personalized shopping selections. If you see something you like, buy it! Chances are it won’t last long. If you plan to visit when a show is not scheduled, you’ll have less trouble making hotel and dinner reservations and can still visit many of the antique shops that remain open all year round. Designer Alessandra Branca, who never misses a fair, says, “What I love about Round Top is that it’s a true festival of people who love design, love the hunt, and love that famous Texas hospitality. It’s such a great cross-section of America and an endless feast for the eyes.”
