Stanstead Treasure Hunt

Located within walking distance of the downtown US border, Stanstead Bazaar surprises visitors from the moment they enter. With its 32 booths, each as inviting as the next, here is a real Ali Baba’s cave, from where one is sure to leave with full hands!

Emmanuelle Mozayan-Verschaeve
Special collaboration

Initially, this building located in the charming village of Stanstead housed the Granite Museum. The owner, Gabriel Safdie, was renting the space, and by early 2019 the place served as a flea market over three-quarters of the area, with the rest being used as a sort of dollar store. “I retired the same year and rented a space to be able to sell things, because I have a lot of antiques at home,” says Sylvie Boudreau. Sales were going well for her, and ideas for development were springing up… then the pandemic came along and naturally the place closed.

In June 2020, when the malls reopened, several of the nine exhibitors had gone out of business and the owner was looking for a tenant to take care of the place. Always motivated by the project, M^me Boudreau looked for other sellers and the group slowly grew, going from 15 in the fall of 2020 to around 30 in July. “We created a name for ourselves, Le Bazar de Stanstead, because it is understandable in French and English and the word ‘bazar’ evokes a place where you can find everything in certain countries, such as Morocco” , explains the one who is now general manager.

Antique dealers, second-hand dealers and artisans share the space, without necessarily being on site since two people, including Mr.^me Boudreau, take care of sales. Customers walk at their own pace from one stand to another in this place inspired by the concept of antiques malls Americans. “It is extremely important for me that the kiosks are well kept, that everything is clean, tidy, so that the whole remains inviting”, underlines M^me Boudreau.

Cross the ages

Indeed, a warm atmosphere reigns inside and everything is arranged to pique the curiosity of the walker. From popular art to the Mid-Century, we cross the ages, we are moved by an object evoking a memory, we discover the creations of talented craftsmen and we finally find the chest of drawers that we lacked, the chandelier of our dreams, original gift ideas.

“We want to promote recycling, give a second life to furniture, objects, clothes and also encourage local artisans to offer them a showcase. People are pleasantly surprised by the quality of the products offered and find great finds at reasonable prices, ”notes the former customs officer and dog handler, who has lived in different regions of Canada and the United States.

It is also often in this expectation that many people visit the bazaar. They can find treasures restored in the rules of the art, brought up to date, completely transformed or simply in their own juice. “I have loyal customers from the Eastern Townships who come for a walk every week because we often renew the stock of stands to keep things attractive, but also people from Montreal and Ontario. All generations love it! ”

Not to mention that with the pandemic and the real estate boom, concludes M^me Boudreau, there are “lots of newcomers who have settled in Stanstead where there are very big houses… that have to be furnished! I think we have a great concept, which can only evolve. ”

Three merchants to discover on site

Lisa’s retyped objects

Lisa Gauthier has been renting a stand at the bazaar since last February. She collects lots of stuff from second-hand shops and from family counters. “These are stained, damaged things, to which I give new life and a trendy side. I saw the recycling craze so I decided to sell the collection of mineral paint that I use [Peinture Fusion, faite au Canada] – it can be applied on all surfaces. I also run workshops to explain the technique to people, in addition to offering my creations, ”she informs. Skillful and imaginative, Lisa achieves miracles by dressing an object, for example, with stencils, by endowing a piece of furniture with refined glass buttons or by refreshing it with a punchy coloring.

Claire’s know-how

Claire Vincelette and Serge LeBlanc are always on the lookout for antiques for their house¹. “It was a bit of luck that we stopped there to find objects. At one point, a stand became available and as we accumulate a lot of things at home, we decided to rent it, ”recalls Claire Vincelette. The couple patiently restores furniture and objects in order to restore them to their former glory, while ensuring that they preserve their original cachet. At the same time, M^me Vincelette, who does a lot of handicrafts, took up a second stall to sell her knitting creations, including irresistible baby sweaters, beanies in every style and gorgeous modern brooch shawls.

Denis’ guy stuff

Denis Lamoureux has been in the flea market for over 25 years and has participated in the Bazar since its inception. “I rented a booth just for myself, to offer my boyish things, and my wife has her own booth next door with her girlish things! My specialty is mainly suitcases and sports items, which I restore. On weekends, there are some who play golf, I do that, it’s my passion and we have a lot of fun here! », Confides this very jovial retiree.

The Stanstead Bazaar is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is located at 14, boulevard Notre-Dame Ouest, Stanstead.

Read “A House Like a Museum” Visit the Stanstead Bazaar Facebook page