A new outdoor swap meet opened Sept. 19 in a parking lot at California State University East Bay in Hayward, Calif. “We have a contract with the college up there, and it’s every Sunday,” says manager Mark Edelman. “We’re averaging about 30 vendors.”
The Hayward Hills Swap Meet and Flea Market will be open every Sunday from 6 am to 3 pm, weather allowing. “We’re crossing our fingers for a good Christmas,” says Edelman. “We’re going to do some additional advertising, and hopefully be able to build up the swap meet and get some momentum for next year.”
The market is owned by a company called Outdoor Marketplace Management, which has a lot of experience in running swap meets.
The market’s vendors currently sell a wide range of merchandise, including used goods, jewelry, pictures, tools, clothing, and food. The lattermost includes vendors selling Hispanic cuisine, kettle corn, Hawaiian barbecue, and Italian ices. “The students eat a lot,” according to Edelman. “They come down from the dorms and visit the food vendors. We help supplement the food plans.”
So far, the Edelman has focused on building a solid vendor base, but the next meet will bring some live entertainment to the locale. “This week we have a high school marching band coming out to do some fundraising and play during the swap meet,” he says.
Vendors can rent a booth the size of three parking spaces for $30 a day. For more information, contact the Hayward Hills Swap Meet and Flea Market at (925)-273-4312 or e-mail info@haywardhillsswapmeet.com.
Photo credits, with thanks: Hayward Hills Swap Meet.