Shopping habits run the gamut from all-day mall marathons to scouring local re-sale stores for treasures.
Another unique option is attending vendor fairs that offer hundreds of various items that can be found at local stores, organizations and boutiques.
The latter choice proved beneficial for those visiting the recent Spring Jam vendor fair at the Lake County Fairgrounds Industrial Building.
“I love this kind of shopping, there’s so many choices under one roof,” said Jackie Orman of Highland as she was among the first to arrive. “The things they have here usually aren’t the same old, same old you find in the mall.”
Throngs of shoppers agreed, as they perused the hundreds of booths set up in the Industrial Building.
Proceeds from admission charges were donated to Lady Region Elite, a nonprofit all-girls basketball organization in northwest Indiana, she added.
Geri Connor of Schererville was out and about shopping at Crown Point’s downtown area when she heard about the Spring Jam.
“I ran into some friends that had just returned from this doing and they told me about the wonderful variety of items they had,” she said. “I’m one of those people that look for unique, one-of-a-kind personal gifts, so I decided to make the trip here.”
Connor added that she already had found half dozen treasures within an hour of her arrival. “My friends were right — this Spring Jam is remarkable.”
Many shoppers echoed those thoughts.
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“I’m coming across things I’ve never seen before,” said Linda Myers of Crown Point, as she looked over some colorfully-painted metal pails that could be used for Easter baskets. “I usually have a list with me when I go shopping and I haven’t gotten anything on that list yet — I’ve been buying other unique things I’m finding instead.”
Vendors offered myriad of choices for visitors — from flags and outdoor decorations to boutique clothing and unusual-scented soaps.
Shawn Hudecek of Crown Point recently opened a new business, Pink Pineapple Designs, and decided the vendor fair would be the perfect place to introduce herself and her handmade items.
“These types of events are a great way for people to know what is available locally,” she said. “I’m just starting out and this is a wonderful opportunity for me also.”
Vendor Susie Hovanac of Hazel Rae Boutique agreed.
The Hebron resident previously owned a Hobart clothing store, but her current boutique is very different from the past store.
“I offer private shopping and special hours,” she said. “I didn’t offer this before, but I’m finding out that customers really like this.