The perfect place for a treasure hunt has arrived, and it is located at 203 Colborne St. in downtown Brantford. 
Opened in late 2019 by Lizanna Koster and her daughter Susan Bridle, Old World Marketplace is a family run business full of unique vintage and antique pieces. Customers will find a connection to the past with items such as kitchenware, tools, trunks, furniture, collectibles and more. Their spacious store includes Ginger’s Nook, two rooms of children’s toys managed by Susan’s 10-year-old daughter, and Cuppa Joe, a small cafe and gift shop run by her 13-year-old son, Joey. 17-year-old Max contributes his lifting and moving services to the business.
For Lizanna and Susan, the goal is to teach the kids valuable life skills, share their passion for reusing and repurposing, and offer a welcoming environment for their customers.
“We enjoy creating a pleasant, peaceful experience for our customers while they browse and take a stroll down memory lane. Our items often bring back happy memories and make them feel nostalgic for simpler times,” said Bridle.
“We’re proud to be part of the revitalization of the downtown. With the trendy new restaurants, a nearby library, Harmony Square, student population, and high traffic exposure, it was a great location for our dream shop,” said Koster. When some local residents lost their homes in a devastating fire earlier this year, Koster and Bridle organized a donation drive along with another downtown business. 
Since opening in the core, the mother-daughter duo can’t imagine feeling such a sense of support and community anywhere else.
With this warm welcome from the community, Lizanna and Susan have their sights set on expansion. In addition to four themed Air BnB apartments above Old World Marketplace, the family is in the process of expanding into neighbouring storefronts. The first is Studio 203, a creative space for an artisan market and workshops. The other side will be an upscale thrift
shop called This, That & The Other Thing, offering more contemporary furnishings and home decor, as well as clothing, shoes, accessories and housewares.
Follow along on their page and set a date to stroll through the store and find what you didn’t know you were looking for!
