"Do you enjoy hitting the road in search of “treasure”? Whether it’s a day-trip to a nearby town or a longer trip that spans several states, visiting the “fleas” will give you the true measure of a place. In Flea Markets Across the USA, you’ll travel the country learning about flea markets in every region of the United States. Some are known for their goods, others for their size and character. Each has a unique flavor, and finding your favorite is all part of the search!"
INTRODUCTION • Flea markets are the soul of a community.
The World’s Longest Yard Sale • 127 Yard Sale
New England
Portland Flea-for-All • Walking into the more than 10,000-square-foot indoor building in Portland, Maine, that holds the Portland Fleafor-All is unlike entering any other flea market. Instead of rows of vendors on a grassy (or sometimes muddy) field, you’ll experience mini showrooms full of vintage and antique items arranged to look as though you’re peering into someone’s home. The market is similar to an eclectic furniture store, complete with rustic wooden floors and art on the walls—plus you’ll find vintage clothing, accessories and new and vintage jewelry throughout.
HOW TO Start a Collection • Whether or not you’ve been a regular visitor to flea markets in your region, you may find yourself searching out particular items. If so, you might be ready to become a collector. There’s a fine line between being a collector and a shopper—the key is being selective about what you buy, and that can take some time.
Hobby Horse Flea Market • For over 50 years, Mainers and tourists alike have headed to Hobby Horse in Searsport for everything from vintage hunting and fishing tools to jewelry. While it began as a flea market, Hobby Horse has transformed into a marketplace over the years, featuring a main store, called Hobby Horse, that looks and feels more like a general store from the early 1900s than a modern marketplace.
Top 10 Tips • The pros will tell you—being prepared for shopping at a flea market or antiques show isn’t just about making sure you have the date and address written down correctly. You need to be prepared. Here are some helpful hints about what to wear, what to bring and what to do once you’re there, courtesy of Jon Jenkins, producer of Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market in Ohio and the Nashville Show in Tennessee.
GO FOR THE BARGAINS, Stay for the Food! • In the past, shoppers went to a flea market with one particular goal in mind—finding what they needed, or sometimes didn’t need, at a fair price. The food, if there was any, was an afterthought. Hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries, and soda were typically on the menu, and not much more. But over the past decade or two, that’s all changed.
Waterbury Flea Market • The largest flea market in Vermont, the Waterbury Flea Market is just two miles outside of the charming Waterbury Village.
The Elephant’s Trunk • When you travel to New Milford, Connecticut, on a Sunday between April and December for a trip to The Elephant’s Trunk, be sure to set out early in the day. This market boasts over 500 vendors, a variety of food trucks and hundreds of hopeful shoppers—all assembling from various points along the East Coast to participate in New England’s largest weekly flea. This flea is a “non-exclusive marketplace,” which means that anyone can participate as a buyer or a vendor at any time, creating a truly unique experience each and every week.
Buy pre-loved.
Brimfield Antique Flea Market • In 1959, the town of Brimfield, Massachusetts, hosted what went on to become the country’s oldest and largest outdoor antique market—the world-famous Brimfield Antique Flea Market. Today, dealers and collectors come from around the United States and the world regularly to attend the three annual markets.
Flea from Home WITH...