These two ladies love the “Thrill of the Hunt”

Renee Blake and Dianne Bisbee are shown here at the “212 Flea Market”. They have been in the vintage
decor and furniture business for more than a year now on Hwy. 212 in Faulkton (across from Dacotah Bank).

Dianne Bisbee and Renee Blake reside in Cresbard, and are neighbors. The two became fast friends through their love of vintage items. Bisbee has always loved finding that unique item at auctions or rummage sales. Her eyes light up and she has a big smile on her face when she starts talking about her passion and where she has traveled to find pieces for her store. She also loves to paint furniture. Bisbee noted that her husband, Russ, is a big help when she has been to an auction and ends up having more than she can handle. He drives to her location to help her bring home her purchases. Russ is also happy with the business since Dianne has cleaned out several of their sheds where she had stored her vintage items. Dianne stated that the location of the store is just great, right on Hwy. 212 through town. True flea marketers always stop to see what she has to offer.

“We also have many regular customers who come in weekly to see what is new,” she said. While I was interviewing Dianne and Renee, Irene Cunningham happened to stop in. I asked her about the shop and she stated that “It’s wonderful! I enjoy the store . . . it’s fun!” Several more customers stopped in to browse, several repeat customers, and several locals who had not been in the store yet. Renee Blake has been an-
tiquing since she was a teenager.

She is the third generation of her family to enjoy the “hunt”. Renee has the knack for the design of the shop, what goes where and with what. Sometimes, Bisbee said with a smile, that they agree to disagree, when it comes to arranging items in the store, as they have two very different
styles.

Both Bisbee and Blake love tolisten to customers who look at an item and start telling stories about “remember when”. They have also received compliments about how reasonable the prices are and how clean their shop is. Along with auctions and rummage sales, they have a good consignment clientele. So if you need to consignment something, 212 Flea Market is the place to go. Recently they have acquired at lot of antique furniture. Bisbee said that business has been good. Her three biggest events were last year’s city wide rummage sale, the Arts & Crafts Festival in October, and the latest was the Rural Route Road Trip where she just about sold out half of the store.

212 Flea Market’s hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or anytime you see her “open” sign outside the shop. Her phone is 216-1009. Looking for that one of a kind find? Head to the 212 Flea Market. Bisbee noted that browsing is always free!

Courtesy of the Faulk County Record.