Antiques after Dark, a unique shopping experience at the Cookstown Antique Market, has been growing in popularity.
There was a good turnout for the first in the series of three evenings at the Antique Market’s barn, back in January – and even more shoppers turned out for the second night on Feb. 26, despite wintry weather and blowing snow.
Antique Market owners Bill and Diana Robinson launched the evenings in their 6,000 sq. ft. heritage barn as a unique fundraiser for three worthy causes - Sick Kids hospital in Toronto, Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston, and Holland Bloorview Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital.
One $20 ticket provides admission to all three evenings, which include a ‘magical’ shopping experience, wandering through the booths of 35 independent antique dealers as music plays in the background, and free refreshments.
For the second Antiques After Dark, instead of ‘pairings’ of wine or spirits and snacks, the Antique Market had great support from the owners of local businesses, who came out in person to provide free samples and boost the fundraising efforts of the Robinsons.
Ticket holders could sample the mild, medium or hot chicken wings donated by The Cookstown Pub Co.; hamburgers, jalapeno poppers wrapped in bacon and potato skins from The Last Shot Bar & Grill in Thornton; and delicious sugar cookies, decorated with the logos of the Antique Market and the three hospitals, created by Bites by Barbara.
Creemore Springs Brewery offered samples of their lager, and the Market itself donated samples of Beattie’s Distiller’s Poitin from Alliston, Pommies Cider’s gluten-free original cider from Caledon, and a Baco-Cab Sauvignon blend by Red House Wine Co. (VQA), from St. Catharines.
Cookstown Greens even brought in 25 lbs. of organic carrots, for attendees to take home.
The final evening of Antiques After Dark will take place on Wednesday March 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person, $30 per couple, and can be purchased at the Cookstown Antique Market, County Rd. 27, or by calling 705-458-1275 and paying by credit card. All of the proceeds will go to the three hospitals.
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