Round Top Round Up
2023 is the year of design-inspired travel for me.
In the first three months of this year, I’ve had the opportunity to visit the phenomenal desert vistas of Sedona as well as Palm Springs for the annual spring modernism week. Most recently I had the opportunity to visit Round Top, Texas, a self-described “big time small” city about an hour and a half outside of Austin with a world-renowned antique and vintage scene.
What Round Top Is
There are two big antique shows per year – one in the fall and one in the spring - each lasting about two weeks. I prefer the spring show as the weather is a bit milder and the Texas wildflowers are in full bloom. People from all over the country flock to the area to pick up one-of-a-kind vintage and antique finds from permanent and temporary vendors and shops. In the words of the Round Top Chamber of Commerce, “it’s a level of insanity rarely seen in the Texas countryside.”
What is really wonderful about these shows is the variety of inventory and the caliber of vendors. You may have an idea in your head about what a Texas antique show looks like – rusty windmills or primitive furniture and lots of Americana - and there certainly is some of that. But there are also midcentury modern vendors, European antique dealers and everything in between. Some of my favorite antique outlets from around the country are all there in one place, which makes it super easy to see what everyone has going on. LOLO from Birmingham, Alabama and South Loop Loft out of Chicago – all without getting on a plane and flying across the country!
How to Shop Round Top
Round Top offers VIP early access at a fee for the first day. If you have a very specific shopping list and have built relationships with vendors who always have the perfect item for you, then this is probably worth it. But if you’re there to get a great deal and are flexible on the exact piece you’re looking for, I would recommend going toward the end of the show when sellers are ready to make a deal. No one wants to haul their inventory back home, so show up ready to wheel and deal. Regardless of which way you do it, know that most vendors will re-stock throughout the week, so there may be something new to see each day. There are also different shippers on site – talk to several to see who can provide the best options for items you aren’t able to take home yourself.
Where to Stay Around Round Top
The city of Round Top is quite small, and while there are very cute places to stay nearby the show, there just isn’t a ton of space. Those places that are close by will book up more than a year in advance of a show, so if you can’t plan that far ahead, then I recommend looking a little outside the area in a bigger airport hub like Austin. I find the hour and a half drive from Austin to Round Top quite nice – especially, as I mentioned, in the spring when the wildflowers are in full bloom. For me, this is the perfect time to catch up client calls, podcasts, or just some quiet thinking time.
My Round Top Take Aways
The vendors were definitely ready to deal! From what I gathered and overheard, buying seemed to be slightly down, although there didn’t seem to be consensus on whether that was because of lower traffic, lower basket size or both. My best guess is that the fall show in October will be the same. If you’re in the market for stocking your warehouse for staging, accessories or the perfect side table, that could be a good time to go.
Consider alternative shipping options. My experience with shippers from US-based antique fairs has been hit or miss, but this time I found a vendor from my city who was open to driving back my purchases. This is a win-win situation because they have empty space in their trucks after selling their inventory and it's a revenue stream for them. Knowing the shipper makes it much less transactional and it can even be the start of building a relationship.
Where the value is at. Last year I shopped for vintage furniture and accessories at both the Paris Flea Market and Maison d'Objet. Whether or not it is cheaper to go closer to the source for European vintage depends on a lot of factors from currency to category. In my experience, it is worth it for larger furniture items, but less cost effective for accessories and decor. Your specific shopping list may be different, but it’s something to keep in mind to manage expectations.
Austin levels up. I’ve always been amazed that Austin does not have a design center, but that is about to change this spring when a major one will be opening (TBA!). One approach for an October trip: shop the VIP on day one to see best of the best. Follow that with a few days in Austin for shopping, eating, and checking out the new design center. Then head back to Roundtop for end of show deals.
Make it a girls’ weekend. Round Top is a great idea for a girls’ weekend – especially with friends who love to shop or who love design. I shopped one day with one of my oldest and dearest friends who lives in Austin. Going on a road trip, being able to browse while sipping margaritas, all the time getting caught up and reminiscing was food for my soul and made the experience that much better.
It's great to get outside. After spending thousands of hours over my career in windowless convention and conference centers around the world, it is blissful anytime I get to do my job outdoors. While there are some indoor spaces, shops and vendors, the majority of the event takes place outside. Plan ahead for this – check the weather and pack appropriately, and this aspect of the show will make it feel like a real vacation.
Bottom Line: If you're thinking about tackling Roundtop, it's definitely worth your time!