THE crackle of vinyl records spinning on a turntable, the ticking of antique wall clocks and the chatter of bargain hunters fill the air every Saturday morning at Angsana Johor Baru Mall in Tampoi, Johor.
Collectors, vintage lovers and curious shoppers gather here for the weekly Pasar Pagi Johor Baru − vintage flea market − that takes place from 7am to noon.
The vibrant weekend attraction draws locals from across Johor and visitors from Singapore in search of rare treasures, nostalgic memorabilia and human connection.
Rows of stalls lined with thrift clothing, vintage toys, old coins and collectibles transform part of the mall’s compound into a lively marketplace steeped in nostalgia.
For many vendors and visitors, the flea market is more than just a place to buy and sell old items; it has become a community bound together by a shared appreciation for history, craftsmanship and memories from a different era.
Vendor Anuar Zainol, 52, from Kulai, said he first visited the flea market as a customer before becoming a trader in 2023.
The salesman, who sells thrift and vintage clothing part-time, said organisers later invited him to open a stall in August that same year.
Most of the vintage clothing he sells is sourced from Thailand.
Anuar said he initially started selling online during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“At that time, business was quite good, especially from resellers.
“But after the pandemic, online sales became more difficult,” he said.
The father-of-two said that opening a physical stall at the flea market gave him something online platforms could not offer.
“I prefer selling here because I can interact with customers face-to-face and have real conversations,” he said, noting that many customers enjoy hearing the stories behind the clothes, especially rare vintage pieces.
He added that the flea market atmosphere also allowed vendors to build friendships with regular visitors.
Nearby, 66-year-old vendor Katnin Nasir carefully arranged stacks of old coins, vintage banknotes and vinyl records collected over the decades.
The father-of-seven and grandfather-of-10 said his passion for collecting began during his younger days.
“When relatives and friends wanted to throw away old items, they would call me first.
“If I saw something that could still be repaired, like old radios or record players, I would take it as there was demand for it,” he said.
Over time, Katnin accumulated an extensive collection of antiques and memorabilia from both Malaysia and overseas.
Among his prized possessions are old currency notes, coins, rings and vinyl records.
Katnin believes the collecting community in Malaysia remains strong and continues to grow.
“There are many collectors in Malaysia and the demand for old items is still high,” he said.
What encourages him the most is seeing younger people taking an interest in vintage collections.
“I like that many collectors today are young people.
“They appreciate old things and want to preserve them,” he added.
For technician Azmin Miskan, 42, selling antiques at the flea market is a passion project rather than a business venture.
Azmin, who became a vendor in 2024, said his interest in collecting began with miniature toy cars.
“In the past, toy cars were made from metal and were more durable compared to current toys, which are made entirely from plastic and can be damaged easily,” he said.
His hobby later expanded to include collecting antique wall clocks, particularly wooden cuckoo clocks.
Azmin has amassed hundreds of wall clocks over the years, with some pieces valued at hundreds or even thousands of ringgit.
Despite the value of his collection, he said financial profit was not his main motivation for joining the flea market.
“I am here not because I want to make money, but to meet fellow collectors among the vendors and customers where we can share our passion.
“Our relationship here has become like one big happy family,” he said.
As the morning progressed, visitors could be seen browsing through crates of vinyl records, flipping through stacks of old compact discs (CDs) and inspecting antique household items.
Some negotiated prices while others simply enjoyed the nostalgic atmosphere.
Among the crowd was Singaporean collector Paul Soh, 43, who said he frequently travelled around the region searching for antiques and collectibles.
He has explored flea markets from Singapore’s former Sungai Road market to Hong Kong and Penang.
Soh said collecting over the years eventually led him to sell some of his own items online.
“Sometimes collectors accumulate too many things, so we sell some items to other collectors,” he said.
However, he noted that online buying could sometimes be risky due to scams and logistical issues.
“Some Singaporean collectors also face difficulties transporting large antique items back home,” he added.
Soh particularly appreciates authentic vintage items because many modern reproductions lack the craftsmanship of original pieces.
He has a keen interest in Peranakan furniture, old cabinets and vinyl records from the 1930s to 1950s.
“This is my first visit to the Pasar Pagi.
“I may start coming almost every week as the prices are affordable and some of the items being sold are quite hard to find, especially the vinyl records,” he said.
He discovered the flea market through Facebook and arrived as early as 7am to slowly explore the stalls after breakfast.
Soh believes more people will appreciate such markets if they are held over several days instead of just Saturdays.
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Muhd Qusyairi Md Samian said he regularly visited the flea market to search for vintage CDs and music collections.
The theme park employee enjoys collecting pop and R&B albums, including music by rapper 50 Cent.
“I like the vintage vibe here.
“Some of the albums that I buy come from artistes that I heard when I was a child, and it brings back good memories of my childhood,” he said.
Qusyairi noted that many items sold at the flea market were affordable for young collectors.
“Sometimes I can find CDs for around RM20, which makes it easier to start collecting for someone who is just starting,” he said.
Universiti Utara Malaysia graduate Abdul Gapar Maidin, 24, said his interest in vintage items began while conducting research on the late entertainer Tan Sri P. Ramlee for his history degree.
Through his studies, he developed a deeper appreciation for vintage Malaysian entertainment culture and memorabilia.
“Besides going through books about him (P. Ramlee), I went to flea markets in Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya in Selangor, and was able to get his old movie posters and listen to vendors’ stories about P. Ramlee.
“Our country once had a strong entertainment industry and many talented figures who help shaped Malaysia,” he added.
Apart from entertainment memorabilia, Abdul Gapar also collects Hot Wheels toy cars, which can be found at flea markets, noting that the small cars even come in their original packaging.
He believes collecting helps preserve parts of Malaysia’s cultural and artistic history.
As younger collectors continue to enter the scene, vendors say the flea market has evolved into an intergenerational meeting point where older collectors share stories and knowledge with newer enthusiasts.
