Atascadero Vintage Market celebrates first year with community, creativity and new flea market tradition

By Hayley Mattson · Thu Aug 06 2026

Owner Crystal Bergman and assistant manager Cheri Pehrson reflect on a successful first year as downtown destination prepares for grand opening celebration Sept. 5

ATASCADERO — When customers walk through the doors of Atascadero Vintage Market, they are greeted by more than shelves filled with vintage treasures, handcrafted goods and unique décor. They are welcomed by the warm scent of candles, friendly conversation, and a sense of community that owner Crystal Bergman has intentionally cultivated since opening the business one year ago.

What began as an idea to create a marketplace for local artisans, collectors, and vintage enthusiasts has quickly become one of downtown Atascadero's most popular destinations. As the business celebrates its first anniversary, Bergman and assistant manager Cheri Pehrson recently launched the inaugural Atascadero Flea Market last Saturday — an outdoor event they hope will become a quarterly tradition.

They are also preparing for the store's official grand opening and ribbon-cutting celebration on Saturday, Sept. 5. The celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m. Guests can enjoy refreshments, giveaways, raffle prizes, shopping, and the opportunity to meet many of the local entrepreneurs who make the market unique.

"I still enjoy coming to work every day," Bergman said. "People have been delightful. They always tell us how good the store smells and how glad they are that we're here."

That positive response has been one of the biggest rewards of the market's first year.

While Bergman originally estimated the store housed about two dozen vendors, a recent count revealed nearly 30 local businesses and creators now call Atascadero Vintage Market home, offering everything from antiques and furniture to artwork, handmade gifts, and collectibles.

From a business standpoint, the market exceeded expectations almost immediately.

"We were functioning like a 15-year-old business by month two," Bergman said. "That was shocking, but wonderful."

Even after a year, local residents continue discovering the shop for the first time.

"Almost every day someone walks in and says, 'How long have you been here?' Then they say, 'I'll be back. I had no idea this place existed.' That's a really good feeling," Pehrson said.

The market's success has coincided with the continued revitalization of downtown Atascadero, where improved streetscapes and parking have encouraged visitors to spend more time exploring local businesses.

"I've lived here for 45 years," Pehrson said. "This is the first time Atascadero has truly felt walkable. We actually have date nights here now, which never used to happen. We'd always go to Paso Robles."

She credits the city's El Camino Real improvements with helping transform the downtown experience.

"People are parking once and shopping multiple businesses. That's been huge for everyone down here," Bergman added.

The market has also become a destination for travelers passing through the Central Coast and for shoppers who have discovered the store through social media.

"We've had people tell us they follow us on Instagram and decided to make the drive," Bergman said. "I think the furthest visitor came from Redding. I almost felt bad they drove that far, but they were excited to be here."

Looking to build on that momentum, Bergman recently launched the Atascadero Flea Market, a concept she had envisioned since opening the store.

The flea market provides opportunities for individuals who have inherited vintage items, collectors looking to downsize, and aspiring vendors who may not yet be ready to commit to a permanent booth.

"There are people who have inherited collections and don't know what to do with everything," Bergman explained. "They don't necessarily want to start a business, but this gives them a chance to sell their items for a day."

The event also benefits existing vendors who have accumulated inventory in garages and storage units.

"Sometimes you just need another opportunity to clear things out," Pehrson said. "And if something is broken or needs work, somebody else sees potential in it."

The inaugural flea market drew a steady stream of shoppers throughout the morning, encouraging organizers to make it a recurring event.

Rather than holding it every month, Bergman believes a quarterly schedule will keep excitement high.

"People don't necessarily want to come every month," she said. "When it's quarterly, people look forward to it. Vendors get time to collect new inventory, and shoppers know they'll always find something different."

Several vendors signed up for the next event before the first one had even ended.

The team also launched a dedicated Atascadero Flea Market Instagram page to build its own identity while remaining connected to the Vintage Market.

"We wanted it to become its own thing if it grows," Bergman said.

For Bergman, supporting small businesses remains at the heart of everything the market does.

"I always like to remind people that when they shop here, they're supporting dozens of local entrepreneurs," she said. "That's really what this is all about."

That mission will continue during the Sept. 5 grand opening celebration, which Bergman hopes introduces even more residents and visitors to the growing downtown destination.

Guests attending the celebration can expect a festive atmosphere with refreshments, shopping specials, raffle prizes, gift certificate giveaways, and the opportunity to meet many of the vendors whose creativity has helped make the market successful during its first year.

"After one remarkable year, it's now a place where people come to shop, visit, get inspired, and support local makers," she said. "That's exactly what we hoped it would be."

You can visit Atascadero Vintage Market at 5850 El Camino Real, and online at atascaderovm.com

Feature Image: Atascadero Vintage Market owner Crystal Bergman (left) and assistant manager Cheri Pehrson (right) launched the inaugural Atascadero Flea Market on Saturday, bringing local vendors, collectors and shoppers together for a morning of vintage finds and one-of-a-kind treasures. Following the success of the first event, Bergman and Pehrson plan to host the flea market quarterly at Atascadero Vintage Market. Photo by Hayley Mattson/ATN