Shenandoah Valley Flea Market
Featuring over 70 vendors, the Shenandoah Valley Flea Market is a favorite among tourists and locals alike, and the home to a lost Renoir painting valued at $100,000
Shenandoah Valley in Virginia and West Virginia is a treasure trove of natural wonders, rich history, and thriving culture. Its premiere flea market reflects the Valley’s unique charm and idyllic beauty, bridging past and present, town and country with a vast assortment of one-of-a-kind finds. In business since 2004, the Shenandoah Valley Flea Market just off Route 11 about two miles north of New Market hosts over 70 vendor booths with a variety of antiques, vintage collectibles, crafts, and other merchandise.
The market’s catchphrase “Red roof, red sign, right place,” is indicative of its small-town flair. But don’t let the market’s humble exterior fool you.
Beneath the expansive red roof visitors will find thousands of valuables of historical and cultural significance, including, at one time, an authentic painting by the French impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. It is the stuff of bargain-hunting legends: unearthing a treasure amidst a sea of trinkets. The incredible story made international headlines in 2012 after the buyer, who purchased the painting in a $7 box of assorted goods, received confirmation her find was indeed an original. The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, didn’t realize at first that she’d come upon a masterpiece. She even considered discarding the painting to salvage its frame, but instead had it evaluated by the Potomack Co auction after noticing a Renoir plaque. The work, called the Paysage Bords de Seine, is just 5.5 by 9 inches in size and worth between $75,000 and $100,000.
The story and the Shenandoah Valley Flea Market itself are testaments to the fact that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. With items such as kitchenware, vintage toys and decor, antique farm equipment, handmade crafts, and even new hardware, it is an ideal spot for those who wish to take home a piece of authentic Americana or a trip down memory lane. A true embodiment of the secondhand market spirit, whether it’s junk or antiques you’re after, you’ll likely find it there.
The market is open daily year-round. Its organizers also host the Route 11 Yard Crawl each summer, featuring 40 miles of yard sales with local and visiting vendors. The Friday through Sunday sale attracts Shenandoah Valley residents as well as tourists from around the state and country. Whether you’re a thrifting amateur or a secondhand connoisseur, you won’t want to miss it.
