Most antique malls charge a monthly rent for the space plus a commission on each sale. Among malls in our directory that publish their rates, a typical booth costs $87–$205 a month (about $1.50–$2.81 per square foot) plus 10% of sales.
What you pay
Three costs matter. Rent is usually monthly and depends on size and location in the building: front and aisle-end spaces cost more. Commission is a percentage the mall keeps from each sale to cover the counter staff, card fees and marketing. Some malls also charge a card processing fee, a deposit or a one-off setup fee, or ask dealers to work a few shifts a month in exchange for lower rent.
The figures on this site come from malls' own websites, with a link to each source on the prices page.
Questions to ask before you sign
- What's the monthly rent, and is there a minimum term?
- What commission do you take, and is it charged on sales tax too?
- Are there card fees, setup fees or a deposit?
- Do dealers have to work shifts?
- How and when are dealers paid?
- Who handles holds, discounts and phone offers on my items?
- What's the policy on theft and damage?
- How long is the waiting list for better spots?
Working out whether it pays
Your monthly profit is roughly: sales − what you paid for the items − rent − commission. If you buy at a third of your selling price (a 67% margin) and the mall takes 10%, a $87–$205 booth needs a few hundred dollars of sales a month just to break even. The booth calculator does the sum for your size, region and margin.
Making a booth sell
- Pick a lane: a clear theme (mid-century, farmhouse, vintage kitchen) is easier to shop than a jumble.
- Price everything clearly; unpriced items rarely sell.
- Refresh often. Regular shoppers walk past booths that look the same every visit.
- Use height and lighting, and leave room to walk in.
- Track what sells and buy more of it.
Questions
How much does it cost to rent a booth at an antique mall?
Among malls in our directory that publish rates, typically $87–$205 a month, or roughly $1.50–$2.81 per square foot, plus a commission.
What commission do antique malls take?
Typically 10–12% of each sale among malls that publish it; 10% is the middle figure.
Do I have to work at the mall?
Some malls require dealers to work a few shifts a month, sometimes in exchange for lower rent or commission. Ask before you sign.