I’ve been going to AmericasMart in Atlanta for several years now. I think the first time I went was when my Aunt Mary in Florida had a women’s and men’s clothing store and she came up here to shop for the store. That was probably 20 years ago at least.  Attending their big show in January and July is always fun and exciting and even though I wasn’t planning to go this month, I went at the last minute. My friend, Debbie, who runs Miss Lucy’s Monograms asked me to go with her, so I tagged along. I love to go, but don’t like to go alone and it’s fun to go with a friend. She did her thing and I did mine and we made a day of it.
The Atlanta AmericasMart (merchandise mart)is huge and has everything you can imagine for retailers in the home and clothing industry. Since both of those topics interest me, it’s not hard to get distracted by shiny things at the mart. I had a great time browsing from floor to floor in 2 of the buildings and this time, barely saw any home décor vendors, because I was so busy shopping sample clothes.
I hardly ever go on shopping sprees for clothes, but I’ve been on a couple of them lately, finding things that work in my wardrobe and adding things in my closet to mix and match. So, my fashion posts will be really fun now. Back in December, I hit the closing of an outlet store near me, called C Wonder (started by the ex of Tory Burch) and found some great buys on a lot of clothes. I added about 18 things to my closet on that trip and spent about $300. It was such a good deal, I couldn’t pass it up and the clothes are very nice quality.  If you check out the website, you’ll see the retail prices aren’t cheap. This time I found 7 more things to add to my wardrobe at the mart and I’ll show you a few of them today. These will all show up in my fashion posts eventually. Shopping wholesale sample sales sure is fun too!
I’ve always loved clothes and these will all be a nice addition to my current wardrobe. I continually clean out my closet and get rid of things I’m no longer wearing when I bring home more.  Also, I’m not hung up on labels. I do like well made clothes for the most part and will shop stores like Ann Taylor and Banana Republic on their sales, but I don’t mind mixing in less expensive brands for trendy items.
So, come along with me to the AmericasMart here in Atlanta. If you’re not familiar with this huge wholesale icon in downtown Atlanta, it consists of at least 3 huge buildings with floor after floor of vendors. Retailers from stores all over the country come to the mart to shop, buying in multiples for their retail shops. They shop a season ahead and get things order and shipped in time to put it on the shelves and start the selling season with new merchandise. Going to the mart is a visual extravaganza from clothing and jewelry to all things home related as well.
In other words, it’s exhausting and exhilarating all at the same time! You can’t possibly cover all the buildings and floors in one day, you’d need at least 3 for that. I hardly ever spend a lot of time there when there is a show going on, but I do love to get in and check things out when I can. I can get in with my business license and you have to have a business license to shop at the mart.  Shopping the sample sales during the show is like taking a kid to a candy store.
And I’m the kid!
Here’s the inside of Building 3. Huge with elevators, escalators and stairs all over, so you can navigate this large space. You can walk yourself to death at the mart.
I passed a couple of furniture showroooms and snapped a few pics.
These colorful pillows sure caught my eye.
Along with this pretty coastal bedding. The colors and all the eye candy will definitely distract you at the mart. So much to take in!
I met up with Debbie in some jewelry showrooms. She also sells jewelry at her online shop.
These blingy watches had me at first glance. I bought 3 of them.  I get distracted by shiny things.
Then I texted my sister and niece and bought a couple for them. Yes, they were excited too! Many showrooms sell by the piece and you don’t have to buy big quantities. So, you can imagine how fun this is?! Wholesale prices too.
I bought a pretty blingy necklace 4 years ago at the mart and my sister wished she had bought one too, so I found Art by Amy and put one together for her this time. You can choose all the different charms to put it together and make it personal. Amy has an online site too that you can buy from. Of course, the mart prices are the best.
I went in one store that had a Sample sale sign up and there were all different brands in here that I haven’t heard of. In the clothing industry, there are SO many different labels out there and I’m not an expert on that part at all. I try to look at clothes with a discerning eye and if they look good to me and are pretty well made, then that’s what I go by. I found all of these pieces in one shop and these were all samples. These pieces will all be fun to mix in with pants and skirts I already have.
Three tops and a long black skirt came home with me too. Artex, Orly, and Lisa International were the brands I bought. The blue and white shirt is from A Personal Touch.
And then I found this cute leopard collar jacket at another sample sale, for $15. I spent $200 total on all these pieces, not bad at all to add to the wardrobe. I love bargains! You’ll be seeing these in my fashion posts soon!  I certainly don’t need to buy anything else for a long while, after finding all these versatile pieces.
Going to and shopping samples at the mart is definitely fun to do and I am sure I’ll get down there again at some point. The next big show is in July. There are tons of people that come to the shows and they really are fun to attend. If you can get in, I’d highly recommend going. I’ve barely scratched the surface on how to get around down there and find places that are selling samples. I’m sure the more I go, the better I’ll get to know the Atlanta Mart.
Have you been? What do you think? Overwhelming, isn’t it??
I went to the Mart in Atlanta in 2008. I don’t remember the number of the building we did, but it was mostly costume jewelry and luggage/purses/monogramable bags, things like that. Interesting place!
I’ve never been to the Mart but I know I would love it as I really like to shop. Looking forward to seeing your new post with the clothes you bought. You have a great sense of taste in what goes together and looks good. Hope you have a blessed day.
Rhoda we bought the same watches and I also bought the leopard collar jacket!
HI, Cheryl, what a coincidence!!
You found some great pieces Rhoda! Yes’ the Mart definitely overwhelms! I’ve never been to the Apparel Mart, just the other two areas, but I’d be all over that costume jewelry! We are fortunate that our city has the Mart, and that we draw other great shows and seminars!
I want to go so bad! Thanks for the virtual tour!!
Debbie
You found some great stuff! I had very little time there on this trip and didn’t get to the sample area. Because the Mart is so huge, crowded, and overwhelming, it takes a little time to figure out where you want to go. For those who are less familiar with the Mart, there is a “Cash and Carry” area with jewelry and purses in Building 3. The shops that sell sample clothing are on the upper floors of Building 3 also. Temporary shops are on 5 of the 15 floors of building 3 and on 4 of the 18 floors of building 2. Building 1 has only 1 floor of the 24 with temporary shops. Other than the cash and carry area and the sample clothing shops the showrooms and temporary shops are for order writing for later deliveries. I write all of this to try to help folks understand just how big it is. I have had friends finally get there and they were very disappointed because they could never find “the good stuff”!
Pat, thanks for the great description of the mart. I didn’t even know all that about which floors are which, so you know more than I do. I just know it is huge and overwhelming, but fun.
Can’t wait to see your post on how you’re wearing your cute, new pieces! I have always wanted to go to the Mart and I always enjoy the virtual trips you provide us!
OMGOSH Rhoda, that coat is a classic and you will wear it for years to come, how fun for you!!
Kathysue
Overwhelming is right! I think I would have a panic attack (and I’ve never had one LOL). I don’t think it would be my cup of tea. That is a cute jacket!
Love the leopard collar jacket. Would love to have one of those watches and may be able to get one. My friends Lori and Lauren were there buying for All About Home. Looking forward to seeing what they bought.
I didn’t think people off the street could go. I thought you had to have a business in order to get in and I never knew you could buy individual pieces. Sounds like you had fun.
Holy smokes! So many beautiful things in one place, it must be impossible to get through it all!! Fun to put in the effort, though!!
xo. Leslie
Segreto Finishes
Boy, would I love to go there!
Great pieces to mix and match….but I really love the black the jacket. I got a thing for black.
I haven’t thought of this place in ages! Did it used to be called the Atlanta Apparel Mart???
Also, can anyone going shop? Or do you have to have a business license to make purchases???
Yep, Shari, that’s the same place. I think you have to have a buyer’s badger to purchase. There are several requirements for getting a badge.
I got to go as a buyer for the first time this year and it was really overwhelming! I work for a business that refinishes furniture so we were looking for home decor for staging our showroom. I learned so much about new trends from the showrooms in buildings one and two. I never saw any of building three! The first day we saw 10 floors of building one…then we crashed! The second day we did make some orders and went to a paint demo!! Can’t wait to go back in the summer!
Rhonda,
I recognized the photo immediately. It gave me a little anxiety. I have owned a children & gift store and then a women’s boutique. The Atlanta market can be so overwhelming with so many floors and showrooms. I was the same as you, I would come home with many samples. I loved buying for my home, as well but the minimums would get you some time.
Looks like you had a very successful time!
PS. Loved the new granite top.
Hi Rhoda!!!!
You are all are so spoiled down in the US!!!
Since going down to the States since I was a teen in ’77, I noticed that you get more for your money than we do up here in Canada!
What a great way to spend a day and what a selection!!!! Really loved all of your stylish clothes and accessories!!! Your sister is going to love her necklace!!! Look forward to seeing some pictures of you modeling your beautiful finds!!!
Have a great weekend!!!
Pam
xox
I too am looking forward to your coming fashion posts featuring all the lovelies you picked up at market. I was sorting boxes in the office last week, opened a laptop bag I used for market; it still had my last name badge, a stack of business cards, a tear sheet of my yellow page ad and several pens in it. Nostalgic as I stopped going after I closed the shop and think about it sometimes when I’m in Atlanta.
It was three days of non-stop work but a bit of time to shop the sample sales for a little fun & personal shopping. The evening events were always fun, relaxing with snacks & a glass of wine, comparing notes with friends shopping that season.
I didnt shop after that evening break though……lol, we’d hop a cab, head for the hotel and work up our orders for the next day. I do miss seeing the upcoming trends a year ahead of time, that was always a fun aspect of market. I’m glad you had a great time and I enjoyed your virtual tour, thanks for sharing! Do they still have the Cash & Carry markets in spring and fall? Those were more fun, less work.
Hi, VB! Yes, the cash and carry markets are still going on. I’ve bought jewelry there for the last few years. Still learning the ins and outs of how it all works, but I’m sure I’ll go back at some point this year. It’s always fun, but exhausting!