Each time we venture out of High Falls to do an antique show, Country Living Fair, or just to see a new client, we are never really sure what to expect. Will there be large crowds? Will the weather hold out? Will the chemistry be good? Luckily we’ve learned to prepare for just about anything.

Learning From Our Country Living Fair Experiences

Our first adventure to the September Country Living Fair in Ohio was a great experience and one that I learned from. I watched what people were buying, I listened to what they were asking for, and I spoke to other vendors that had done these shows in the past.

Photo courtesy of Stella Shows

It was at this show that I made the last minute decision to head out to Stone Mountain outside of Atlanta to do the October Country Living Fair. The fifteen hour drive, alone in a packed van, seemed daunting at first but I had a gut feeling it would all be worth it. It certainly was.

The Pages of Country Living Magazine Come To Life

Set in a beautiful park, the individual tents were nestled among the trees with a meandering path that guided visitors and shoppers through the outdoor marketplace.

Richard Kollath

The show’s designers, Richard Kollath and Ed McCann, used their trademark style to create rooms within rooms and provided warmth to the whole experience.

Just as in Ohio, I was shocked at the amount of people that attend this show. It kept me on my toes and I certainly had a lot of laughs.

Vintage transferware was a hot ticket and I presented it in a picnic like setting in the woods.

Our printed dishtowels and table runners were all the rage as were our new wool throws with the multi colored fringe. Seeds from the Hudson Valley Seed Library sold out and our Italian soaps gave our entire tent the scent of the store.

Passionate About Country Décor

I had the opportunity to meet many of the magazine’s editors. It was so nice to connect with people that were as excited to be there as I was and who are passionate about what they do. This sums up Country Living’s Editor-in-Chief Sarah Gray Miller perfectly.  Having met previously, seeing her again was like seeing an old friend. You can feel her energy in each issue and she is determined to deliver great content to her readers.

Photo courtesy of Country Living Magazine Fan Photos

The Beekman Boys were on site to sign books and to greet fans. They always bring an excitement and energy to the day when they arrive.

Re-Creating High Falls Mercantile At Country Living

One of the best things about doing these fairs is being able to recreate a version of our store in a new setting.

I am known to constantly rearrange the store and my own home so this is certainly another great outlet for me. I even changed the table settings daily at the show. It was great to have repeat visitors and to hear them whisper, “Look. He changed the whole display overnight.”


That alone is the best excuse to keep me coming back, meeting new people, and creating.
-Larry Ruhl

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