Lucky Stars Market: My Experience
It’s a beautiful early Sunday afternoon. You put on a cute outfit, grab your coffee, and are ready to head to North Park to find some great pieces. Or so I thought.
Lucky Stars Market is a new San Diego trading post that features women + queer + POC-owned businesses. It featured over 60+ vendors bringing their best curations of vintage and art showcasings of their work. It was so great to see all these small businesses get the exposure they deserve.
Many tents featured handmade jewelry, y2k-inspired clothing, tooth gems, key chains, platform shoes and so much more. Markets like this are truly a one-stop-shop to find an array of timeless pieces.
Upon arrival, It felt as if I had teleported back to the 90s. There were a ton of different people with the coolest, most unique y2k inspired outfits I have ever seen. I noticed lots of looks styled with overalls, chunky shoes, Dr. Martens, funky prints, hair berets, graphic tees and everything vintage.
I arrived an hour after it started and, I have to admit, it was a bit overwhelming. It was a building with a small lot filled with tents side-by-side. Every booth, every section, and every table was filled with people.
That’s what these sellers are here for, for people to be shopping at their stores right? I found that it was so hard to even step into a tent to look at pieces because there were so many people looking through the racks. When you did get a chance, there would be someone breathing down your neck waiting for you to move so they could take your place.
It did seem like booths were selling great pieces. I just didn’t even get a chance to look. It was every man for themselves – you had to be ruthless and cut people off to get what you wanted.
The sellers were truly some of the nicest people and did try to make the shopping experience great for everyone. They would talk to you and try to pull pieces off the racks to show you.
With how busy the small lot was, I hope within the six hours of being open these vendors were able to sell out of all their items.
Maybe the key to going to these markets is going as soon as they open,r or perhaps later in the day. I had high expectations before coming to Lucky Stars and I fully understand that it was no one’s fault.
I am more than positive other people had great experiences. I saw some people walk out with filled bags of clothing, which is a good sign. Luckily every booth had their social media advertised, so you can look at their pieces online whether it be on Instagram, Depop, or their own personal website.
They make it easy to support small businesses online. I spent a little over an hour at the market and went home with nothing. Although I did not have the best experience this time, I am excited to attend their next event with shopping strategies and expectations for how it will go.
Alyssa Acuña — February 22nd, 2022
