If you’ve strolled through an antique mall, you’ve probably wondered: Are the owners actually making cash, or is it just an expensive hobby? You’re not alone!
Renting a booth seems like a fun way to share your vintage passion. But for it to be worth your time, it needs to be profitable.
This guide gives you a super realistic look at what it takes to run a successful antique booth, what costs to expect, and the exact steps you need to take to turn your passion into a serious side hustle.
Quick Glance: The 3 Keys to Antique Booth Profitability
To turn a profit, you need to focus on these three things every month:
- Keep Rent Low: Always aim for sales that are at least 3x your monthly rent and commission combined.
- Move Inventory Fast: Don’t let items sit for months. Rotate stock and drop prices to free up space for new, better-selling items.
- Treat It Like a Job: Use a spreadsheet to track every dollar you spend and earn.
Understanding Your Costs: How Antique Booths Work
Antique malls are like huge, shared stores. The mall handles the boring stuff (like the cash register and general advertising), and you handle your little space.
The Basic Costs Every Vendor Pays
Before you earn a dime, you have to pay these expenses:
- Monthly Rental Fees: This is the fee for the space itself. It changes wildly based on location and size.
- Sales Commissions: Most malls take a percentage of every sale—usually 5% to 15%. This is how they cover the costs of running the register.
- Display Materials: You need to buy shelves, lighting, and signs. You can’t just throw things on the floor!
- Inventory Costs: This is the money you spend buying the vintage goods. It’s the biggest cost!
Expense Tracking Spreadsheet: You need a tool to track expenses and there are many available on the market. I prefer free options so I use Google Sheets. They have a template called “Annual Business Budget” with formulas and everything already include. Click here to save a copy.
What Affects Profitability? (5 Things You Can Control)
Your sales numbers aren’t random. They depend on how smart you are about these five areas.
1. Your Booth Location and Mall Traffic
The Secret: The spot matters! Booths near the entrance, the checkout counter, or busy walkways usually sell more. If your booth is tucked into a dark corner, your sales will likely suffer.
Smart Move: Before signing a contract, spend an hour at the mall and watch which booths get the most attention.
Pro Tip: If you are new and on a waiting list, you may not get the prime location you desire. Take the first that comes available and use the time to build your brand. Be open with the store owner about how you would like to move to a more desired location.
2. Smart Inventory Selection
The Secret: Successful antique mall vendors don’t just sell what they like; they sell what moves.
- Variety is Key: Offer lots of items at different prices. Shoppers need a cheap impulse-buy item and a few big-ticket furniture pieces.
- Stay Fresh: You must rotate inventory frequently. Returning customers won’t buy if they see the same items every month.
Smart Move: No need for new inventory; sometimes moving items around can attract buyers. Be sure to group items in vignettes to help increase sales!
Pro Tip: Join the Vintage Booth Pro community on Facebook to see what sells daily!
3. Your Pricing Strategy
The Secret: It’s tempting to price high, but the goal is to move stock .
- Research: Look up similar items on sites like eBay or specialized antique sites to see what the market is paying.
- Use Sales: Run occasional sales (like 20% off all glassware) to get rid of items that have been sitting for too long.
Smart Move: Need help pricing an item? Your front desk staff and store owners are the local EXPERTS! Be sure to lean on their knowledge when you need a little help.
Pro Tip: There are several pricing strategies you can use. Read all about them here, pick one or two that work for you.
4. Marketing Beyond the Mall
The Secret: You can’t rely just on the mall’s traffic. You need to bring your own customers.
- Social Media: Share photos of your latest finds on Instagram or Facebook. Direct followers to your booth to pick up the item.
- Build a List: Start a small newsletter to alert local buyers when you bring in new items.
Smart Move: Collaborate with fellow booth owners in your store! When you have multiple people working together, more people will see your posts!
Pro Tip: Building a social media following is not easy. Here are several great tips that may answer any questions you have.
5. Smart Money Management
The Secret: A hobby becomes a business only when you track the money!
- Tracking: Keep a spreadsheet of income (sales) and expenses (inventory, gas, rent).
- Analyze: See what sells fast (and what doesn’t!). If that type of item isn’t selling, stop buying it!
Smart Move: Open a separate business banking account for your vintage booth business! It will make taxes and tracking so much easier.
Pro Tip: Speak to a professional about your business setup. You are automatically considered a Sole Proprietor, but there may be a time when you need an LLC.
Tips to Make Your Antique Booth Way More Profitable
A. Stock with Intention: Mix and Match
- Big Ticket Items: Focus on unique furniture that grabs attention.
- Impulse Buys: Stock small, affordable items like vintage postcards, glassware, or quirky décor. These are easy $5-$15 sales that add up fast.
B. Follow Trends (But Stay True to Your Style)
- Right now, mid-century modern, farmhouse decor, and specific retro signage do really well. Watch social media and local markets, but don’t buy things you don’t love just because they’re trendy.
C. Be Open to Changes
- If an item hasn’t sold in three months, you must change its location, offer a discount, or try displaying it with other popular items. Fresh presentation makes stale inventory feel new.
