It’s Sunday. You want to sleep in, enjoy a lazy morning, and now you’ve missed one of the best Sunday events in the city. Not anymore. The Victoria Flea Market is returning to Market Square with longer, later hours.
In its inaugural year at Market Square last summer, Valerie Rawlings, Victoria Flea Market manager, says vendors noticed a lot of shoppers were showing up at the Flea around 2:30pm-3pm, only to be disappointed that it closed at 3pm. This years’ market will run 10am to 4pm every Sunday beginning May 3, in Market Square’s courtyard, 560 Johnson St.
“It’s the best location in the city," Rawlings says. "It’s the High Street of flea markets.”
Last year was a gamble for Rawlings in two ways, moving the flea downtown and moving it outdoors for the warmer months. It turned out to be a good bet. The sellers loved being outdoors in a historic setting with a European feel, and the city folk and tourists both jumped at the chance to treasure hunt for vintage jewelry, vinyl and unique décor for their condos, among other things.
“When you buy something that’s already vintage and good quality, the value is always going to go up. A lot of people like shopping for investments when they come to the flea,” says Rawlings.
The free admission has opened the doors to a whole new clientele of shoppers. Wandering around the flea with a coffee in your hand, exploring the vendors’ wares for something that catches your eye is more than just shopping. It’s a social experience that more and more people are discovering.
“It’s like a surprise package coming to a flea market," says Rawlings. "You never know what you’ll find!”