Junking Trail: Along the Trail

In addition to trekkin' your way through vintage stops throughout San Luis Obispo County, we have some shops joining us Along the Trail--offering all sorts of events and items to bolster your journey. From terrarium making to book signings to a good meal and caffeine kick, see what these stores have to offer next Saturday, November 8th:

HAPPY GO SMILE

36 N Ocean Ave, Cayucos, CA 93430

Owner Barbara brings her overflowing personality to her Cayucos store: it's a place to eat cupcakes, attend painting classes, shop, and leave with a smile! In addition to the store, Susan Branch will be there from 10-12p Saturday for a book signing. We've collaborated with Susan in the past--she's always been a true junker and a natural fit for the Trail!
 
THE MERCANTILE, FEATURING CATTANEO BROS.

950 Chorro St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Informally San Luis Obispo's general store, owner Katelyn features local products and artisans in her new downtown store. Varying from specialty and gourmet foods to jewelry, home decor and custom gift packs, the Mercantile is an essential Holiday gift stop. Bring old containers and/or vintage gifts to make your own gift baskets bulked with local goods!

HUCKLEBERRY MARKET

1335 Walker St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

We are so happy to see our old location on Walker Street looking better than ever under the care of owners Carla and Karen. They have created a part florist, part gift shop, part art residency in Huckleberry Market, offering incredible workshops throughout the year. For the Trail on November 8th, they will have a spot to make your own terrariums! Collect vintage littles from your trek to add to these living creations!

SALLY LOO'S WHOLESOME CAFE

1804 Osos St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

We've been in cahoots with the Manueles since they opened Sally Loo's five years ago. The cafe is full of deliciousness--local, organic, and seasonal fare. Not mention their great coffee from Four Barrel roasters. This is the spot to get fueled (or re-fueled) to keep you junking all Saturday!

The Weekly Six: 10.29

For our top six vintage picks this week, we are showcasing our furniture that often gets hidden by other pieces. We constantly update our inventory, and we want to keep you in the loop of the new things coming in! So, without further adieu, we bring you:

1: A linen closet, a dresser, a shoe rack, record shelving...whatever you need to store, this white 5-shelved wonder has your back. And it's thin enough to squeeze in just about any space!

2: Do you have too many socks and never enough space in your closet? Well head to the sock store because this set of drawers has you covered with drawers to spare!

3: This metal wood desk stays sturdy so you can keep working. With handy shelving and file space below, you can keep your desktop as clear as your mind!

4: Old wood makes for a rustic tabletop, and metal legs with loads of detail hold it all together in this piece. A truly unique, eye catching piece for any space in the house.

5: Scotch, anyone? Perchance a glass of wine? Bring the drinks to them with this wheeled liquor cart--this furniture piece puts the happy in happy hour! (Booze not included)

6: Sometimes you just need a little more surface space, sometimes you don't. Sometimes you need to rearrange your furniture, sometimes you don't. Locking legs and folding tops makes this side table a must have!

Junking Trail: The Early Birds

Among some of the changes to this season's Junking Trail is the condensing down from two days into one. But we know you'll be chomping at the bit to get trekkin', so some of the Shop Stops are offering Early Bird times for you to set out hours (or a day) ahead of the official Trail (Sat 10-4p)! Take a look at these stops who are just as excited as you to get junking:

ANTHOLOGY: open FRIDAY (Nov 7) 11-5p

74 S Main Street, Templeton, CA 93465

Connie (owner) founded Ambiance in San Luis Obispo years ago and hasn't quite got the entrepreneurial bug out of her system yet. Nestled up in Templeton, her new shop, Anthology, is in a converted house full of her vintage finds, new clothing and accessories. It's melange inspired by Anthropologie, European, and flea market styling. Glitterfarm is also popping up here for the Trail! If you have yet to stop in, make it your first trek on Friday!

VILLA ROSSA ANTIQUES: Open SATURDAY (Nov 8) @ 9a

815 Printz Road, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

This little barn shop only opens their doors a few times a year, and we are lucky the Junking Trail is one of them! You will not want to miss this stop: not only will Marilyn (owner) be selling amazing vintage and rustic home goods, but it comes complete with a full experience--goats, horses and chickens on five acres in South County!

GREEN VASE: Open FRIDAY (Nov 7) 10-4p

200 Nelson Street, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

Connie (owner) has been a staple in the Arroyo Grande Village for fifteen years, and the building even longer. Built in 1886, her eclectic store houses old furniture both repurposed and original, her handmade linen pillows and loads of other items from vintage to antique. Green Vase is a true step into the past, and worth the early stop in!

DW's REENTRY REBORN: Open FRIDAY (Nov 7) 9-4p

472 Aloma Way, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

Birthed from the imagination of its founder and long time junker, Deanna Webster, this converted rock climbing gym is now home to unique, vintage collectibles. Only open for the Junking Trails (or by appointment), this stop is truly one-of-a-kind--stocked and curated especially for the trekkers. RetroSLO will also be popping her hand painted trailer up here, so don't miss your chance to get a first look on Friday at DW's ReEntry ReBorn!

The Holiday Junking Trail!

Our bi-annual trek is back--and this time with more! Join us on a trek through SLO County on November 8, 10-4p for the 2014 Holiday Junking Trail!

For the Holiday Trail there will be the usual Trail Stops--where each store curates its own collection of vintage and olds. Some of these Stops open only a twice a year, some are holding early bird hours, and several are hosting Pop Up Vendors with more vintage, flower arrangements, artisan gift items, etc. This time, too, several local businesses are joining Along the Trail offering food, caffeine, make-your-own terrariums and gift baskets, and added gift items from local purveyors. Shop vintage, local and get your holiday shopping accomplished all in a days' time!

We are hosting Wild Poppy Goods (Taylor Kitto) and Odin Bois Wood Co. (Phil), offering vintage finds and handcrafted wood cutting boards, spoons, and more.

More information on each stop can be found on the event website, Facebook, and back here on our blog (or email thejunkingtrail@gmail.com for questions). Can't wait to see you!

Tumbleweeds & Chandeliers

Collecting tumbleweeds is not easy on the Central Coast.

Or in a drought year.

We had a source, head to the 41/46 E junction, there will be a fence--the tumbleweeds from the Valley collect there near James Dean's crash site. 

The project was tumbleweed chandeliers and finding they were within easy driving distance, we excitedly jumped in the bug early Tuesday morning with our coffee and headed North. Fifteen minutes before the fork, in the middle of somewhere between the last winery and Shandon, the alternator froze. 

And we found ourselves waiting for two and a half hours, on the side of the road, with no water, and no tumbleweeds, waiting for help to arrive. We felt a bit defeated, hot and frustrated, but in the end we found some weeds and played in the street (don't try this at home).

Determined to make a large car bill and seemingly wasted hours worth it, we tried again the next morning, but in the truck. This time, we made it.

And it was so worth it.

We had redeemed the day, and made not one, but three chandeliers. Because when you happen upon tumbleweeds, you don't pick up just one.

The Weekly Six: 10.15

Before we open our doors for the week, check out our top six vintage picks. We constantly update our inventory, and we want to keep you in the loop of the new things coming in! So, without further adieu, we bring you:

1: Need a bird companion for the chilly winter nights? Well, we have THE birdcage. Green, tiered and it comes with its own stand. 

2: Fall mornings are for lingering in bed. And that means, a good side table to house your books, teas and candles. Go ahead, hit the snooze button and pull out the drawer where your page turner is waiting.

3: Turquoise takes the stage. A cuff, a ring, a delicate bracelet, and a good pair of jeans and flannel--you have yourself an outfit for everyday of the week. Just make sure to do laundry once in a while...

4: The traveling artist--or it's a rainy day and time to paint! Folds away on the days you want minimal decor and have tasks to finish, and then sets up again when inspiration strikes!

5: Sweater weather is here for the ladies this week. Pull over, wrap up or throw over layers to go out or stay inside--whatever you do, just stay warm!

6: Bobcat pendant, you say? Corduroy backed, real fur, subtle and then striking...have you ever seen such a wonder?? (Or is it a lynx, or a gremlin, or wolf in cat's clothing?)

Window Display at Ambiance

With our big move this Summer, we posted about the how it took a village to make it happen. And it still takes a village to keep a small business running. While business often thrives on competition and can be inherently an 'each one for himself' kind of scramble, there's a lesser tapped beautiful and collaborative side, too. A few months ago Kannyn, Ambiance's owner, offered her storefront window for us to display in. Such generosity felt a little too good to be true, but she persisted and we hauled some of our wares over and set up! For the next little bit, stop by Ambiance in San Luis Obispo and so a little window shopping. Thank you so much Ambiance for having a thriving local business and sharing your success, we love your supportive spirit and talent!