by John Syratt

I do a lot of traveling. Mostly on business trips or holidays combined with visiting family. Wherever I go I have to squeeze in a few hours (or days) scouting out thrift stores, antique shops and malls, auctions, flea markets or garage sales. Sometimes my outings have been planned strictly around treasure hunting. I’m what you’d call a treasure tourist.

Treasure tourists are those who can turn simple trips into excursions for their hobby whether it’s scrapbooking, crafting, metal detecting, collecting or antiquing.

Years ago I flew east for a week to see my parents and siblings in Newmarket just north of Toronto. During that holiday my mom and I spent an amazing day together touring the antique shops dotted along Highway 48.

Some of Veronica Glowa's treasured crocks

For our neighbor Veronica Glowa, it’s the thrill of the hunt and a passion for vintage pieces that takes her places. Her husband Steve, after a career-ending injury on the job, now has time to willingly tag along.

Besides having a keen interest in architecture and history, Veronica collects ceramic crocks and jugs (Medalta, Red Wing, etc). Crocks of all sizes tastefully line the top of her kitchen cupboards and counters. Some can be found in artistic clusters around her living room and on her stairs. She uses a number of them for storage but most pieces in her collection simply enhance her home décor.

Veronica admits that she became hooked on antiques when she was cleaning out her father’s home after he passed away. She found some real treasures that she still has to this day. Whenever she and Steve take a trip she always sources out the antique stores.

Treasure tourists will travel far and wide in their quest for that perfect find. They could be crafters searching for that little shop that provides just the right fabric, pattern or yarn. They could be collectors seeking to add that missing piece that may finish off their set. Two years ago The Glowas drove across Canada, and purchased things in every province.

One Lacombe AB mom, when she drives her kids to sporting events in other towns, makes sure she visits the antique stores and hobby shops in those communities.

Tarn and Marilyn Starbuck of Slocan Park, BC make a habit of checking out thrift stores and antique shops wherever they can find them.

If the weather is good Veronica and Steve will do day trips to shop for treasures. She says it always feels like they’ve been on a little vacation.

My dad once asked me why I spent all that money on gas to go garage saling and yet sometimes buy very little. I told him the joy of the hunt was worth the investment.

For the treasure tourist, the hunt is the holiday.