The rodeo may be over, but don’t be too quick to pack away those boots. Round Top, Texas, population 93, is a year round destination for lovers of all things antique. The town’s Spring Antiques Fair is currently underway, but my particular favorite event is just about to get started.
Open since 1997, the Marburger Farm Antique Show is truly my favorite destination for sourcing antiques for both myself and for clients. When I crack open the spine of a new datebook — yes, I still use those — I highlight the dates of the spring and fall shows right along with my loved ones’ birthdays. This year’s show, which takes place March 26-30, is highlighted in pink.
Vendors unveil the best of their best for Marburger, and all of the country’s top designers come out to play and shop for clients. With more than 300 vendors spread across 43 acres, the selection is essentially limitless. Also, it’s worth noting that some vendors can be flexible on pricing — at least on the last day. I once snatched a pair of beautiful chain-link lamps that I only agreed to take home after a $300 price adjustment.
Just a 90 minute drive from Houston, even people who aren’t looking for antiques could make the day trip just to people-watch. Choosing a cowboy cosplay outfit for Marburger is no small task, and the semi-inadvertent fashion show taking place amongst show-goers is a thing.
Our author sporting her finest cowboy cosplay.Courtesy of Emily Cotton
Marburger’s own Mallory Culbert gave CultureMap the scoop on what to expect, as well as some other fun facts. With so many permanent vendors to shop year round, what makes Marburger so special: “Scarcity psychology,” she says.
Photo by Jenny Antill
Top designers like Kelly Wearstler and Sheila Youngblood shop at Marburger Farm.
Vendors spend months scouring the globe for incredible finds just to show at Marburger, and she’s not lying when she adds that “this stuff doesn’t grow on trees.”
Read on for more insight into the show.
CultureMap: In terms of space, how large is the actual show?
Mallory Culbert: 43 acres! And it is the halfway point between Round Top and Warrenton — precisely two miles in on the four-mile stretch.
CM: How many vendors will there be this year, and what’s the approximate ratio of new and return vendors?
MC: Between all of the tents and buildings, we have over 300 dealers, and the space for new dealers is largely determined by the number of retirees because, thankfully, most dealers who set up at Marburger want to come back! We have some devoted (and equally treasured) dealers who have never missed a show in now over fifty shows!
CM: In terms of a day trip, how long would you say someone can expect to spend roaming the tents?
MC: Marburger is worth visiting for a sprint or a marathon, but it's such a feast that I would say a whole day. We have people who come back every day of the five days because our dealers change up their displays and spaces each day with yet-to-be-seen finds!
CM: Every year famous designers flock to your show. I know I lost my absolute chill when I once came face-to-face with Kelly Wearstler. What is it about Marburger that makes it so irresistible?
MC: I agree; Kelly is the coolest. A true visionary.
I think Marburger draws a lot of independent thinkers because the merchandise runs such a tremendous gamut — so many centuries, so many styles. I, for one, find Marburger worth visiting just for "inspo" alone. The presentation skills are mad genius. I see what these spaces are like before they arrive, and the jump from blank canvas to what they put together by Opening Morning is simply marvelous.
Most of our dealers are artists, even if they don't say they are. I think that really sets Marburger apart as well. We also have dealers who do no other show in the entire year but ours, and their clients know that they can only find them then and there.
CM: Not withstanding never-ending attempts, the show has no sponsors or affiliates. Do you think that add to the show's authenticity?
MC: Certain sponsors and collaborations could be a great fit, but it certainly doesn't hurt the objective of giving both our exhibitors and shoppers an experience that is truly immersive.
CM: Apart from the vendor tents, there is a quaint, frontier-style village at the entrance. Were those moved onto the property for aesthetics, or are they original to the farm? What’s the story there?
MC: Thank you for mentioning this as it is one of my favorite aspects of the show. The Marburger Farm House is original to the farm, and one of Marburger's co-founders Ed Gage (who can still be found set up in Tent A!) helped take care of Mrs. Leona Marburger in the earliest days of the show.
The buildings that make up the rest of the village were purchased over the course of many years and moved from various places around Texas. The Dance Hall which hails from nearby Plum, Texas, is under consideration for historic preservation status, and if you look around at the names — the Bingo Hall, Blacksmith Shop, Silver Dollar Saloon — it makes entering the buildings that much more interesting, knowing what the spaces were originally used for while seeing them filled with beautiful, juxtaposing displays and new life.
CM: I know the cafe options are something of a local affair. Can you tell us a little about the vendors?
MC: Every provider of food and drink at Marburger is a small business, in most cases literally a mom-and-pop. That's Gail and her company Blue House (who also keep us fed on-site throughout set-up), and then there's The Soda Shoppe (the adorable ice cream trailer), and Clementine Coffee & Cream, the historic Kenney Store which was founded in 1887 (!), Courtney and her beloved Simply D'lish out of Brenham, and the wonderful Blackmore family's delicious Duende from Smithville.
CM: Aside from the cafe, is there a lounge area or a respite place for shoppers to rest their boots?
MC: Yes, we recently added a tent between the Clementine trailer and the Kettle Corn (which by the way some people come to Marburger just for that!) that has a bunch of picnic tables and is also the drop-off/pick-up point for the parking shuttle. (I'm partial to this tent because it has cute white pole flags atop the tentpoles 🙂).
CM: There is a permanent restroom facility near the “village,” and a few polo field style facility trailers sprinkling the property. Is there anything someone with mobility issues should keep in mind if they plan to visit the show?
MC: Great question. We have a range of facilities scattered around the show to suit a variety of mobility needs and constraints. We also offer golf carts for rent that allow for traversing the show much more smoothly for anyone, and those can be reserved in advance or, if one is available, rented day-of on-site.
CM: Okay, I’ve run the gauntlet and have all of my fabulous antiques…will someone help carry them to my car? And what about that Chesterfield sofa I just had to have, how can I get that home?
MC: I'll help you, Emily! Just kidding. We all know Chesterfields need trucks so unless you're driving an XL with a tarp for the bed (please prove me wrong and tell me you are, Miss Cotton!), I would suggest enlisting Distinguished Transport, our preferred on-site shipping and portering team, or do like the REAL pros do and roll in on an empty box truck. Fill 'er up!
More Round Top tips
Can’t make it to Marburger Farm? Rest assured that many of the permanent shops and showrooms around town have incredible finds that are available year-round. Market Hill and The Compound are two of my absolute favorites, and I’ve never left Round Top Antiques & Design Center or the Humble Donkey Studio (be sure to pickup a “Camp Round Top” patch while they last!) empty handed after attempting to walk off a slice of pie from Royer’s — lemon-blueberry crumble for the win!
If traveling with a group and not planning to keep track of the Ellis Motel margaritas, I highly recommend Hostie and their Sprinter van services. Round trip to Round Top is also an option, with luxury Sprinter van services to and from surrounding major cities like Houston and Austin. They handle accommodations and have a concierge service as well. Hostie is based in Round Top, so they know everything and everyone. I cannot recommend a better service for anyone seeking a turnkey-style Round Top experience. See y’all out there!
For more details about the show, including tickets and a complete list of vendors, visit the Marburger Farm website.
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What are you hoping to find at Round Top this year? Tell Emily at emilycharlottecotton@gmail.com.
