What You Need for an Antique Market

An antique market needs more than stalls and tables. You will also need practical supplies for exhibitors, visitors, payments, refreshments, power and changing weather. Use this shopping list to prepare the market floor, keep cables safe, serve coffee and tea, and handle cash without last-minute trips to the shop. Check quantities against the number of exhibitors, expected visitors and the length of the market before buying or collecting equipment.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Market stallsqty 20
Party tentsqty 4
Tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 24
Bar stoolsqty 6
High tablesqty 6
Clothes racksqty 10
Storage boxesqty 12

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Payment terminalsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Cable reelsqty 3
Flashlightsqty 4
Walkie-talkiesqty 4
Petty cash registersqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lightsqty 12
Cable matsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Tea glassesqty 60
Platesqty 100
Pastry platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 8
Pliersqty 8

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 6
Water jugsqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Ice packsqty 20

Decorations

Buntingqty 10
Chalkboardsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 12
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Directional signsqty 12
Stand number signsqty 20

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Waste binsqty 4
Broomsqty 4
Dustpansqty 3
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning cartsqty 2
Toilet brushesqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 6

Other

Crowd control barriersqty 12
Conesqty 12
Cable tiesqty 200
Duct tapeqty 6
Rope rollsqty 4
Cable tiesqty 200
Tool casesqty 2
Measuring tapesqty 2
Pensqty 30
Clipboardsqty 6
Price tagsqty 500
Wristbandsqty 300

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Cocoa powder - 1 pack
- Sugar - 3 packs
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 5 bottles
- 7UP - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 5 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 3 bottles
- Ginger ale - 3 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Beer - 6 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snack nuts - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Pretzel sticks - 4 bags
- Cheese crackers - 6 packs
- Toast rounds - 8 packs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 12 tubs
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Vegetarian pâté - 12 tubs
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Pears - 30 pieces
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Cinnamon - 1 jar
- Cookies - 12 packs
- Butter cake - 8 pieces
- Apple pies - 6 pieces
- Mini muffins - 8 boxes
- Brownies - 6 boxes
- Sugar waffles - 8 packs
- Gluten-free cookies - 4 packs
- Vegan cookies - 4 packs
- Nut-free cookies - 4 packs
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Napkins - 10 packs
- Paper snack trays - 300 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Compostable bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 refills
- Hand gel - 6 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Cleaning wipes - 20 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs

Tips

Count one market stall and at least one table per exhibitor before arranging the layout. Add storage boxes for valuables and packaging so items do not end up under tables or in walkways.
Plan refreshments by opening hours: for a four-hour market, allow roughly one hot drink per visitor if refreshments are included, plus extra coffee cups, tea glasses, pastry plates and reusable cups.
Check the venue’s available power before bringing coffee machines, kettles, lighting and payment terminals. Take extension cords, power strips, cable reels and cable mats so no cable crosses a public route uncovered.
Prepare the cash point at least one day before the market. Bring petty cash registers, a counted float in small denominations and a separate supply of cash for change; keep card terminals charged and test them before exhibitors arrive.
Pack weather and low-light equipment even for a daytime market. Party tents, coolers, flashlights, LED or string lights and secure cable covers are easy to overlook when the forecast looks clear several days ahead.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for an antique market?: Start with market stalls, tables, chairs or stools, storage boxes, payment terminals, petty cash registers, extension cords and lighting. Add coffee and tea equipment, coolers, reusable cups, plates, cutlery and serving tools if refreshments are provided.
How many tables do I need for an antique market?: Use at least one table per exhibitor if each seller has a separate stand. Confirm the final exhibitor count before shopping, then add a small number of spare tables for registration, refreshments or overflow stock.
How much cash should I prepare for an antique market?: Prepare a float with enough coins and small notes to give change during the first two hours, based on expected sales and your vendors’ usual prices. Count and record it the day before, and keep vendor takings separate from the float.
When should I check power and lighting for an antique market?: Check the venue’s power supply at least one week before the market and test all coffee machines, kettles, terminals and lights no later than the day before. Bring cable reels, power strips and cable mats if outlets are more than a few metres from the stalls.

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