The Fancy Flea, a popular market in Lakeland, FL, since 2009 is expanding into Plant City. Lori Powell, owner, says the market opened in November 2009 with 12 vendors and has grown to more than 250 vendors and about 325 booths. “I love having it in downtown Lakeland but we’re growing so much it’s just too tight here.” The new location for the Fancy Flea is Plant City’s Strawberry Festival fairgrounds, which is 10 miles from downtown Lakeland. The market will be situated on several acres away from the fair’s midway where both electricity and water are available. It is held two times a year, once in the spring and again in the fall, and the next show will be Saturday, Nov. 2.
“It’s an outdoor market, and I pick the months April and November for the shows because the chance for rain is slim,” Powell explains. “I love it outdoors. It is so pretty,” she continues. “There is beautiful grass and oak trees. I’m fashioning the market after the Old Glory Antiques market in Littleton, CO.”
The show is a good size now and may grow to a maximum of 300 vendors and 400 booths, she adds. “I want all of my vendors to do well so I don’t want to get too big.” Vendors primarily sell vintage, vintage inspired, repurposed and antique items, with a few direct sellers of products such as Mary Kay Cosmetics.
The shows will include a food truck rally along with musical entertainment. Powell is bringing in bluegrass, country or acoustical guitar musicians to create a lilting shopping atmosphere. Ki Nassauer, editor-in-chief of Flea Market Style magazine will be on hand to kick off the November event.
Booth rental fee for the November show will remain $75 for a 10-foot by 10-foot spot as it was when the market was held in Lakeland. In the spring, the fee will go up to $100 and then it will not change for a long time, Powell notes. “I want this to be something that every seller can afford. I have a lot of vendors who are elderly who make beautiful pillows or lovely linens. They are on a fixed income and can’t afford to pay $300 for a booth.” The Fancy Flea, a juried show, is accepting new vendors. Interested parties can download the application on the website and must submit three photos of their wares.
The Fancy Flea is also holding two smaller shows this year. The La Petit show will be held July 20 at Lake Mirror and a Holiday Market is planned for the first weekend in December, the location of which has not been chosen. “We’re also going to have a Fancy Flea show next May in Madison, FL,” Powell shares. “It will have around 200 booths.”
When she isn’t managing flea markets, Powell is sales director at the Lakeland Convention Center and runs a vintage rental business for brides.
For more information:
The Fancy Flea
Tel.: 863-712-3278
Email: fancyflealakeland@gmail.com
Website: www.fancyflealakeland.com