If you’ve ever driven by The MKT on a Saturday morning and seen a parking lot filled with tables, furniture, and happy treasure hunters, you’ve seen Junk Day, our most popular shopping event. On select Saturdays from spring through fall, Junk Day turns our Acworth store’s parking lot into an open-air market where you can find almost anything.
If you’ve been wanting to visit, this guide has everything a first-timer needs to know before the next sale.
What Are Junk Days?
Junk Day is a one-day outdoor sale held right outside The MKT in Acworth, Georgia. It’s just a few minutes from Woodstock and easy to reach from most of North Atlanta. Sellers rent parking spaces and fill them with preloved furniture, home décor, tools, antiques, crafts, collectibles, and more. Some sellers are experienced dealers and pickers, while others are neighbors clearing out a garage or letting go of a collection. This mix is what makes the event so much fun. No two Junk Days are ever the same, and we never know what will show up.
Don’t let the name fool you. Even though it’s called Junk Day, the sale never looks messy. Sellers follow a few simple rules: smaller items are displayed on tables instead of on the ground, and nothing is sold out of boxes. This way, shopping feels more like walking through a tidy flea market than searching through a yard sale.
When Do Junk Days Happen?
Junk Day happens several times a year, usually on the third Saturday of the month from March through October. The sale goes on rain or shine, so don’t let a cloudy forecast keep you away. You can find all the upcoming dates on our Junk Days page, and we also post reminders on Facebook and Instagram as each event approaches.
What Can You Find at Junk Day?
You can find almost anything at Junk Day, except for clothing and shoes, which aren’t allowed. On any given day, you might spot a solid wood dresser ready for a new home, vintage kitchenware, hand tools, garden pieces, original artwork, holiday décor, vinyl records, glassware, or a collectible you didn’t even know you wanted.
Prices are usually reasonable, too. Many sellers are open to making deals, and friendly bargaining is part of the fun. If you find something you like, it’s always worth asking about the price.
Tips for Your First Junk Day
A little planning can make your visit even better. Here are a few tips from experienced shoppers.
Arrive early: The best items, especially furniture, often sell in the first hour or two. If you’re hoping to find something special, try to get there when the sale starts.
Bring cash: While many sellers now accept cards or payment apps, cash still makes small purchases and bargaining easier.
Know your measurements: If you’re shopping for a specific spot in your home, measure it before you leave and bring a tape measure with you. It might save you from having to guess in the parking lot.
Drive something with plenty of space: You never know when you’ll find a farmhouse table you love. If you don’t have a truck or SUV, bringing a few blankets and straps in your trunk is a good backup plan.
Walk around the whole market before making big decisions. It’s tempting to buy the first great thing you see, but checking out everything first helps you shop with confidence. Just remember, waiting can be risky. If something really catches your eye, someone else might want it too.
Make a Day of It
Here’s something first-timers might not know: Junk Day is only half the experience.
Once you finish shopping outside, head inside The MKT, where 59,000 square feet and over 170 dealers offer antiques, vintage finds, handcrafted pieces, and home décor. You can explore The Barn, browse the women’s boutique, and grab lunch or coffee at SweetPeas 73 Cafe, all without leaving the building.
Many shoppers use Junk Days as the start of a full Saturday outing. They hunt for treasures in the parking lot in the morning, grab a bite at the cafe, and spend the afternoon exploring the market at a relaxed pace. The store is open from 10am to 7pm on Saturdays, so you don’t have to hurry.
Want to Sell at Junk Day?
If you’re interested in selling at Junk Day, it’s easy to get started. Each vendor space is a standard parking spot, 8 feet by 18 feet, and costs just $25. You can rent as many spaces as you want, but you need to sign up in advance either online or in the store. If you arrive to sell without registering ahead of time, the rate is $35 on the day of the event, so it’s best to plan ahead.
A few rules help keep the sale looking its best. Tables are required, and smaller items must be displayed on tables instead of on the ground. Selling out of boxes isn’t allowed, and clothing and shoes can’t be sold. Junk Days happen rain or shine, and there are no refunds or rollovers, so keep this in mind when picking your dates. After you register, we’ll send a confirmation email and a full list of rules and guidelines before the sale.
Plan Your Visit
The MKT is right at the corner of Highway 92 and Bells Ferry Road. Just give minutes from
I-575 via Exit 4, whether you’re coming from Woodstock, Kennesaw, Marietta, or anywhere in North Atlanta, it’s an easy Saturday morning drive.
Our store hours are Monday through Saturday from 10am to 7pm and Sunday from 1pm to 6pm. For questions about Junk Days, give us a call at (770) 517-7771 or reach out through our contact page.
Ready to join the hunt? Check the upcoming dates on our Junk Days page, mark your calendar, and come see why this is The MKT’s most popular shopping event. We’ll see you in the parking lot.
