Last Sunday morning before the NFL playoff games, I made the trek to Fairfax and Melrose in Los Angeles to hunt and gather.

As noted in a previous post http://wp.me/p3Yngf-2JY the upholsterer who held my furniture, fabric and money hostage for  five months has a stall at the Melrose Trading Post so I was hoping to confront him and ride off into the sunset with my posse of possessions.

I was able to round him up by contacting the Melrose Trading Post as a last ditch effort. I emailed a manager and to be honest, I did not expect a response because this wasn’t their problem, but I felt that I owed it to myself to not leave any stone unturned.

Greenway personnel, Jessica and Natalie, actually responded and took control of the situation.

They were heaven sent. They are professional, responsible, righteous and caring women who immediately reached out and persuaded him to contact me.

Let me be clear, this is no reflection on the market. The overarching company, Greenway Arts Alliance, stood behind their product and are the only reason I have restitution.

Natalie laid out the plan.  We would meet up Sunday and she would escort me to his booth.

One of the perks of the escapade was that I was able to spend some time with Natalie and she filled me in on the Melrose Trading Post and its’ illustrious 18 year history.

The Melrose Trading Post is a Sunday open-air market and features a range of vendors selling antiques, vintage goods  and collectibles.

Greenway Arts Alliance, a non-profit organization, believes in ‘the power of the arts to inspire and stimulate as well as aspire to a deep engagement with the community.’

Admission and vendor fees at the Melrose Trading Post support public schools. At Fairfax High, the Melrose Trading Post has raised over $6 million since 1997 while creating a renewable resource as well as providing students with jobs and helping to fund college scholarships, library renovations, field trips, sports equipment, band uniforms, beautification projects, teacher programs and theater productions.

The Trading Post is a shoppers paradise for past and present goodies. There are some amazing furniture makers, retro clothing, fabulous hats, candles, jewelry and even eating opportunities.

Sunday, I bought a noteworthy hat for $45 which looked like a close relative to the Rag & Bone $195 chapeau that my daughter has been coveting.

Put the Melrose Trading Post on your Sunday Bucket List.

There is a plethora of exciting retail therapy items and great live music. Sunday, the crowds were grooving to the soul sounds of Dorian. He was quite engaging and it wasn’t, “Just My Imagination!”

Rain or shine, make a day of it.

Melrose Trading Post at Fairfax High School 7850 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, California. The market is open every Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Admission is $3 and there is on site parking and ample neighborhood street parking.