Through the lens of his Nikon D40, Trevor Brake, founder of the Rosebud Flea Market, captures the moments of people proudly holding up the hidden treasures they found amongst the racks, filled with the fashion that transcends the times of the 90s to early 2000s.
They say, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” That’s certainly the case as the Rosebud Flea Market brings back the Y2K clothing and streetwear from the 90s.
“Getting to treasure hunt and find unique vintage pieces from the past is so freaking cool,” Lydia H., a vendor from the Rosebud and owner of Ramblewood Vintage, says. “I love what I get to do, and I love that I get to share my finds with others.”
Brake strives for an inclusive and welcoming community by bringing vendors who sell vintage items, where every item is a timeless treasure for many discerning collectors.
“I found that I have a community that comes around and really enjoys being in the presence of a fun environment, safe, inclusive, and nonjudgemental,” Brake says.
He decided to open an event on Feb. 25 and March 3 for all small vintage businesses to come together in Barley’s Backyard uptown in Towson.
Along with the events at Barley’s Backyard, last summer, he hosted the Rosebud Flea Market at the Radebaugh Florist Shop, which consisted of 31 vendors.
Before Rosebud, Brake tried other ventures and hosted nightlife entertainment in Winona, Minnesota.
He even worked with his sister as a vendor during the 2021 Lucky Flea Market, learning some tricks and tips on how to manage a flea market.
“My sister is the driving factor of the brand identity and most creative person I work with to this day,” Brake says.
While working with his sister during the summer, Brake learned about the operations behind a flea market, along with the layout and management.
“I learned about the operations and how everything maneuvered around in the flea markets, along with the tips, tricks, and layout,” he says.
Brake says that vintage clothing and the sustainability of it has become fashionable, creating a larger market for these specific items.
The driving trend for vintage clothing began in earnest in 2020, as the pandemic has led many to focus on the longevity and sustainability of clothing.
The expeditions and experiences he gained led to him seeing an opportunity in Towson.
“Towson never had something like this and as a businessperson, I always see opportunities where I can do something better for the community,” Brake says.
“Also, Towson is growing as a city and I believe as it grows, more businesses are going to grow with it, and I would like to be part of that growth.”
Zoe Brier, a student from Goucher College, says that this is an intriguing setup to bring students and other people of all ages out for a day event in Towson.
“Towson is typically a small town, and to have an event going on that has never occurred before was really intriguing and exciting,” Brier says.
“I feel like it brings students together from different campuses, specifically Towson and Goucher.”
Jeremiah (JR) Quarles, owner of Mozart’s Thrift Shop, attended the Rosebud Flea on March 3, selling vintage T-shirts, football jerseys, and anything relating to 90s pop culture.
“I grew up in 90s pop culture, so anything I see that is 90s related, I pick it up,” Quarles says.
“For me, I am a student of art so everything I see with a great graphic design, I pick that up.”
While being newly exposed to marketing, he came across the difficulty of pricing his items fairly.
He now tells his customers that he “charges what he would pay” to make his items affordable for students and everybody.
“I base my prices on the continuous model of knowing who my customers are,” Quarles says.
“My customers are young college kids and not everyone has a lot of money to spend on shirts, so I try to make stuff affordable for everybody.
“I know what it was like to not have any money.”
During COVID, there was a month-long period when Quarles was unemployed, and he decided to sell vintage clothing as a side hustle.
“My girlfriend, now wife, at the time, was telling me to keep doing this,” he says.
“A year ago, I took a chance on this on trying it out and it just worked out.
“I just have been loyal to Rosebud and Trevor.”
The Rosebud Flea has given not just college students, like Brier, but people of all ages an outlet to gather around and appreciate the unique styles and treasures each vendor presented.
Brake and Quarles, along with the other vendors who attended on Feb. 25 and March 3 did not fail to create an inclusive and positive environment for the people of Towson.
“It is a welcoming and arm-opening place where everyone is welcomed and the overall vibe I try to create is that everyone can walk out with a smile and tell their friends about the Rosebud,” Brake says.
“The last thing I want is for someone to leave with a frown on their face.”
