Top Ten Wholesale is beginning a series of articles on our TopTen Book of Lists. Our lists will focus on Industry, People, Shows, Clients and so forth. The first in the series is on the Top Ten Flea Markets. Flea markets are more popular than ever in these economic times. Our list gives you the opportunity to find great bargains, maybe some collectibles and many other items you can use around the house and yard. By attending one of America’s Top Ten Flea Markets, you’ll be in for quite an experience because these affairs are usually very large and offer bargains you won’t find anywhere else. You might even find something you can take to the “Antiques Roadshow” if it comes to your town. Here’s TopTenWholesale’s Top Ten Flea Markets List.
1. Alameda Pointe Antiques Faire – Alameda, CA
The Alameda Flea Market in northern California is the largest in this area with shoppers from the San Francisco Bay Area. Their next faire day is October 2. Events are held on the first Sunday of every month. The Faire boasts over 800 Dealer Booths and advertises items are 20 years old or older. It’s the ultimate place to shop for vintage and antique home decorations, clothing, furniture, jewelry, art, pottery, books & collectibles. They have free parking and shuttles, but pets are not allowed.
2. Brimfield Antique Show and Flea Market – Brimfield, MA
Rain or shine, the show goes on, and it’s like the greatest show on earth as far as flea markets go since the combined booths at the Brimfield Antique and Flea Market Shows make up the largest outdoor antique show in the United States. You may have heard that Brimfield experienced a severe tornado on June 1. The site says they are fine and their home and office were thankfully untouched. However, you can still see the damage when approaching. The Brimfield, Massachusetts event stretches across an entire mile of Route 20, with over 5,000 dealers filling 21 fields. Brimfield hosts three Tuesday through Sunday shows each year, in May, July, and September. The last fair this year was held September 6-11. But look for the next show on May 8-13, 2012.
3. Brooklyn Flea – Fort Greene, Williamsburg, Smorgasburg, Central Park
The Brooklyn Flea has been around since April 2008 with weekly outdoor flea markets held in four locations around Brooklyn, New York, on either Saturday or Sunday. It features 150 local and regional vendors of antiques, vintage clothing, handmade items, jewelry, food, bicycles, records, and much more. Since inception, the Flea has become a New York City institution, getting local, national, and international press for its vendor diversity, food quality and merchandise. The market also provides a stimulating community atmosphere and fuels he local economy for vendors, entrepreneurs and local businesses.
4. Daytona Flea & Farmers Market – Daytona Beach, FL
This huge flea and farmers market has 1,000 booths and is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 to 5, rain or shine. It was voted one of the “Top 5 Markets in the Country” by USA Weekend and ranked among “The Best in the World” by the Travel Channel. This is where you can get great flea market finds and fresh produce. The Daytona Flea & Farmers hosts 2.5 million shoppers every year with events like the “5th Annual Cruising for a Cause VW Run” and “4th Annual Hippie Contest,” in addition to offering raffles, door prizes and music.
5. First Monday Trade Days – Canton, TX
First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas, began 150 years ago as a place to trade horses and livestock. It’s considered one of the largest flea markets in the United States and now sells every any kind of merchandise you can imagine. The flea market operates on hundreds of acres and provides spaces for about 6,000 vendors. It is open Thursday through Sunday before the first Monday of each month and is located near Tyler or Dallas, TX.
6. GreenFlea Market – Manhattan, NY
For over 25 years, GreenFlea has been operating on the Upper West Side of Manhattan as one of the first open air markets in the city. It offers antique/vintage collectibles and new handcrafted items. It’s an ideal place to look for unique merchandise at reasonable prices, most of which are not available anywhere else. The handcrafters offer custom-made merchandise, from jewelry to furniture to clothing. Vendors take pride in helping shoppers find exactly what they’re looking for. Some of the proceeds from GreenFlea Market benefit two New York City schools, with over $4 million contributed since 1985.
7. Long Beach Antique Market – Long Beach, CA
Established in 1982, the Long Beach Market has over 800 sellers on 20 acres of vintage bargains at the Long Beach Veterans Stadium. Held on the third Sunday of each month, this year-round outdoor market has antiques, collectibles, vintage items, home décor at bargain prices. Every item for sale must be an antique or collectible. It was named “Top Flea Market in U.S.” by Good Housekeeping and “The Best Swap Meet in L.A.” by Los Angeles Magazine. The Long Beach Antique Market is having a special sale October 30th, its 5th Sunday Super Sale, with hundreds of sellers at “The Show the Designers Love.”
8. Rose Bowl Stadium – Pasadena, CA
The Rose Bowl Stadium has hosted the Tournament of Roses Football Game, UCLA Bruin Football, Americafest Fourth of July celebration, concerts, religious services and filming, making it a southern California legend. Thousands of bargain hunters flock to the Stadium every month. It has over 2,500 booths of antiques, vintage clothing, and every kind of merchandise imaginable. In fact, you could find yourself among celebrities and well-known interior designers if you shop there. It is currently undergoing a $152 million dollar renovation, with anticipated completion scheduled for late 2013.
9. Shipshewana Auction and Flea Market – Shipshewana, IN
Since 1922, George Curtis started selling livestock and cattle from his home to customers in the Midwest. In 1930 he added auctions and ultimately sold to Fred Lambright. In 1979, the auction barn burned and was rebuilt in three months. Since then, it has become the Midwest’s largest outdoor flea market with flea markets every Tuesday and Wednesday from May to November with hundreds of vendors offering goods. It will have a standard bred horse sale on September 24 and a Fall Crafter’s Fair September 29 to October 1.
10. Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market – Springfield, OH
The Springfield Antique Show and Flea Market has been a favorite haunt for thousands of collectors and dealers for over twenty-five years. It is having an Extravaganza September 16-18, this coming weekend. Early bird buying begins Friday at 8 am to noon and it is open Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm and Sunday 9 am to 4 pm. You can find fine antiques, funky flea market item and fabulous food. This flea market features 2,500 sellers each month at the Clark County Fairgrounds. The 3-day extravaganzas in May and September get the most sellers and attendees.
Extra Bonus:
Traders Village – Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, San Antonio, TX
Traders Village calls itself a Texas size marketplace. With multiple locations in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston and San Antonio, Texas, this marketplace opened in 1973. Each location has millions of people browsing, shopping and trading on acres filled with thousands of dealers offering everything from soup to nuts at bargain prices. At Traders Village, can you amble through thousands of shops and deal with the shop owners directly for bargains that range from paper clips to bulldozers on any given weekend.