Question:
We have a local indoor/outdoor flea market that is open every Wednesday and Saturday. I've been going to it for years and years. In fact I can remember skipping school on a Wednesday my senior year of high school to go and that was 29 years ago! I guess I'm a junk junkie from way back!
The weather was perfect this Wednesday...perfect day for a flea market! I actually found a few pieces of fabric...four of which are already listed on ebay and a fifth which I may keep for myself. I rarely find fabric at this flea though this is the one where I found 12 yards of a paisley print that turned out to be from the late 1800's. I paid $2.00 for it and sold it for $200 but that was several years ago. The pickings seem to get slimmer and slimmer every year but that doesn't stop me from searching!
I usually try to go on Wednesdays because Saturdays are too crowded! It takes a lot of the fun out of it when you're battling old ladies with those shopping carts that they drag around (which will be me someday ) while an inattentive mom is ramming your heels with her baby stroller and some guy is gesturing with his lit cigarette and nearly burning everyone within reach. If I go on Saturdays I try to get there early, real early, to beat the crowd.
It's kind of funny how often you hear the word "ebay" as you walk around. On Wednesday I heard one dealer telling another dealer that shoppers are getting tired of ebay and that they would rather inspect items in person before buying and don't want to sit in front of their computer all the time.
I'm trying to resolve to be very selective in what I purchase for resell because I just don't have as much storage space in the new old house. Plus I'm still having nightmares about all the junk I had to pack up when we moved!
Well, enough of my ramblings. Hope everyone is having a nice Spring.
Answer:
Flea market? Hmmm. Local? Lucky you!!! Twice a week? Unbelieveable!
We have one that's fairly local that runs once a month on a Sunday morning...
Answer:
Hi there!
I gave up on the ones around here. I guess they are still called
swap meets. It used to be you could find all kinds of older goodies.
The last time I went (many years ago) it was all newer items, like socks,
junk jewelry and clothing.
I have been very very good. I have not brought home any new junk for
eons. In fact, I have been tossing out and it feels great!
Sister says don't dump that. You might be able to ebay it. Heck. One has
to draw the line somewhere and reclaim themselves.
Everyone keep happy and healthy!
Answer:
Goodworks1,
This will be my first summer in this area (If I'm remembering correctly, we live not too far apart), would you mind tellkng me where the "somewhat local" flea market is on the first Sunday of the month? I'm waiting patiently for the 100-mile garage sale in June along Route 34, but maybe I can get a small 'fix' before then. Thanks in advance for sharing.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Baileejean Goodworks1,
This will be my first summer in this area (If I'm remembering correctly, we live not too far apart), would you mind tellkng me where the "somewhat local" flea market is on the first Sunday of the month? I'm waiting patiently for the 100-mile garage sale in June along Route 34, but maybe I can get a small 'fix' before then. Thanks in advance for sharing. Princeton. I think it's the 2nd Sunday of the month. In the winter it's at the fairgrounds. I think it moves to city parking lots during the summer and sometimes is on Saturday in the summer, I think. I've never arrived when it opens, so maybe there's some good stuff then. But I've never found anything to buy later in the day. On the other hand, I'm not a die-hard flea-market attender, so take this info with a grain of salt. I will try to keep an eye on the Bureau County Republican for the next date.
There is a town-wide type 'garage sale' a couple of times in the WINTER at the fairgrounds also. Some of those have been pretty good...I once purchased a half-yard or so of Strawberry Shortcake fabric with a yellow border for a dollar or so and sold it for WAY more to someone in Japan. And the same seller had stacks and stacks of old cookware which would be great for finding pieces for your own kitchen. The rest of the fabric there (tossed in a box under the table) wasn't very interesting.
Maybe someone else from the area will drop by and give us the REAL info on those flea markets...
PM me and maybe we can schedule a trip to one of the auction houses in the area... I've lived here for years and haven't visited many of them...
Elaine
Answer:
Hi Elaine,
Thanks for the detailed reply! I will check out the Princeton paper online and see what I can find. I've never been to an auction, would love to go! Check your PMs.
Thanks again, have a great day,
Linda
Answer:
Originally Posted by goodworks1 Princeton. I think it's the 2nd Sunday of the month. In the winter it's at the fairgrounds. I think it moves to city parking lots during the summer and sometimes is on Saturday in the summer, I think. I've never arrived when it opens, so maybe there's some good stuff then. But I've never found anything to buy later in the day. On the other hand, I'm not a die-hard flea-market attender, so take this info with a grain of salt. I will try to keep an eye on the Bureau County Republican for the next date. In Saturday's paper I noticed the following:
There will be a flea market on Mother's Day May 14 and on July 9
(this is at the Bureau County Fairgrounds on West Peru Street - Rt 34 - in Princeton)
So...I don't know if the flea market meets somewhere else other months or not, but anyhow, the May and July dates have been confirmed...
Answer:
For anyone within driving distance of Raleigh NC, there is a
great flea market at the State Fairgrounds.
My parents used to set up in the late 1970s, on card tables inside
one of the buildings.... Now the buildings have semi-permanent stores.
Only shut down for one month a year.. state fair, ya know?
The place has a nice outdoor section of transient and permanent dealers too.

I love flea markets. Don't usually find much to buy business wise, but
always a ton of fun to go to!
Answer:
In Saturday's paper I noticed the following:
There will be a flea market on Mother's Day May 14 and on July 9
(this is at the Bureau County Fairgrounds on West Peru Street - Rt 34 - in Princeton)
So...I don't know if the flea market meets somewhere else other months or not, but anyhow, the May and July dates have been confirmed... Thanks Elaine, I'll try to get to at least one of those. I actually know where the fairgrounds is, cuz I pass it on my way to the Princeton antique mall. I love summer!!
Answer:
I love flea markets. Don't usually find much to buy business wise, but
always a ton of fun to go to! That's how I feel too. Up until a few years ago I did actually find some nice stuff for resell. Now I hardly ever do but I still love to go! I don't even mind all the "new" stuff/Chinese imports because sometimes that's just what I'm looking for! Last year I got DH some shortie white athletic socks that he loves!