When Kirk and I made plans to spend a few weeks in Florida last November I was thrilled to learn that we would be there during one of the popular Renninger’s Antique Market events. Renninger’s is in Mt. Dora, Florida, and is about 2 hours from our son, Nate’s home in Jacksonville. Nate and l really enjoy browsing antique shows and Kirk indulges us. We found this market to be a wonderful way to spend a warm, sunny day in Florida (when it is too cold to go to the beach) especially when the market is in a dreamy location like this one. I’ve been to many antique markets, but this was the first time I shopped under oak trees dripping with Spanish moss.
We left first thing in the morning in order to arrive early. When we arrived the market was already bustling with people! Typically, I carry a list of items I’m looking for, but this time I intended to just browse (at least that’s what I told myself) — furniture or big items would be impossible to take back home on a plane and I really wasn’t looking for anything large anyway. Then it happened … I found an item on my list.
Antique Pharmacy Scale
It never fails that when I don’t plan to buy that’s when a list item shows up. This time it was an antique pharmacy scale. A scale has been on my list for many years. I’ve found so many different types, styles, and colors in the past, but I hadn’t found “the one.”
Shortly after arriving at the market, at the end of a row of booths – that didn’t seem promising, and in the most unlikely booth, a scale. A Henry Troemner scale, from the early 19th Century with all the original parts and pieces, a marble top, and carvings on the case. I quickly looked it up online and learned it was worth significantly more than the asking price. It was unique, different, pretty, a great conversation piece and I could envision it on my kitchen island. It was quite enticing, but the thought of getting it from Florida to Minnesota was a deterrent. Since it was still early in the day and we still had so much more to discover at the market, possibly even other scales, Nate made note of where the booth was so we could stop by again on the way out — you know, to see if it was still there.
As we continued to browse the many rows of antique vendors I found a couple of great buys. A small ironstone-covered relish dish for $3 and a Wallace Bell for $10. I was excited about both items, especially knowing they would easily fit in my suitcase. But, the scale was still haunting me.
At the end of the day, as we headed back to the car, Nate convinced me to take one more look at the scale. It was a long walk to the booth and my annoying, arthritic knee was protesting. Nate went on ahead to see if the scale was still at the booth and confirmed it was. He shared with me later that the vendor was packing up and the scale had already been packed away in a box and was ready to load on the truck. When he didn’t see the scale, he hesitated to even ask about it, but thankfully, his wiser self did inquire. The stars all aligned ….the scale was there, the seller offered a significantly lower price, and I had figured out a way to get it to Minnesota!
Shipping Antiques
To get my new/old scale safely home to Minnesota without paying hefty UPS or USPS shipping fees, risking damage or loss I opted to bring it with me on the plane. We made a quick trip to the local thrift store and purchased a small carry-on suitcase for $3. I used bubble wrap and packing paper Nate had on hand to wrap the scale and the other items I purchased, and also included some seashells I had collected on a trip to the beach. Since we were allowed two free checked bags, and we only brought one with us so I was able to get my antiques home for the cost of the $3 suitcase! Most airlines charge around $30 for a checked bag, which is still less than shipping fees.
I think the scale is a perfect addition to our kitchen island counter — not too big, not too small, and unique. I’m so glad Nate encouraged me to take one more look.
Decorating our home with antiques is in my DNA. Both my mother and grandmother enjoyed decorating their homes with antiques and family heirlooms and I learned a great deal from them.
Note: Need a guide to Disney World, any of the Orlando theme parks, or antique markets? Send me an email and I’ll connect you with Nate.