The event center was bustling with noise and laughter, with a live band playing as people gathered with family and friends buying gifts, home décor and anything they might have found intriguing. 

Many Ellensburg locals could be found at the Junk-tiquen event on Saturday October 16. The vintage market was held at the Kittitas Valley Event Center, with vendors selling up-cycled and repurposed treasures.

Vendors gathered in the event center, selling all kinds of goods one can think of. There was kettle corn, baked goods, hand-made scrunchies and candles. There were even up-cycled milk churners that were turned into planters.

For some vendors, Junk-tiquen is a place where they can introduce their small businesses. Megan and Macramé is a small business owned by Megan herself. She makes hand-made macramé plant hangers, flags, key-chains and anything macramé one can think of. She started her business five years ago after realizing fiber arts was something she really wanted to pursue. 

“As a young girl we always made those friendship bracelets at camp, and so I made hundreds of them growing up, and when I decided to pursue this seriously, I realized that those bracelets were macrame on a really small scale,” Megan said. 

Megan said she heard about the Junk-tiquen even through attending the Ellensburg farmers market. She said she attends all farmers markets in Kittitas County and local boutiques to sell her goods.

Junk-tiquen has been around since fall of 2014, according to Becky Sherley, the curator of the event. Due to the pandemic, the event was cancelled last year.

“We were in different buildings before and we moved to this open air building to be able to maneuver with COVID mandates, and it was received really well,” Sherley said. “People loved the open air feel of it, and the vibe was really upbeat and happy. A lot of great feedback came back from it.”

The event happens every October and April. Vendors travel from the west side of Washington, as well as Oregon and Idaho. Sherley said some travel even further to attend the event. “I had a guy tell me his sister flies up every year from California to it,” Sherley said. 

Cassidy Merritt, owner of Ellensburg Desserts has been in business for about six weeks. This year was Meritt’s first year being a part of Junk-tiquen. The small business has done only pop-up shops at Ellensburg’s farmer’s market as well as the Ellensburg Rodeo City BBQ. 

“I’ve always been a hobby baker and, back in Spokane, I was a baker at a cupcake shop for about two years, and doing it every single day five days a week,” Merritt said. “I was missing it, so then when I moved out here, I saw there wasn’t a cake or cupcake shop, and I was like why not bring it to Ellensburg.”

Ellensburg Desserts sells mini cupcakes, with flavors such as caramel apple, french toast and pumpkin spice. According to Merritt, they provide gluten and dairy free options to ensure that there is a sweet treat for everyone. Eventually, they plan on doing vegan and sugar free options.

If you missed Junk-tiquen this fall, you can expect another event this upcoming spring.