The Planning Board of Easthampton, Mass., has given the go-ahead for a new outdoor flea market set to launch May 14. Market owner and director Carla Racine is starting the market with a friend. “For years we’ve gone to flea markets together. We’ve held tag sales together,” says Racine. “Browsing at outdoor marketplaces, we’ve always said, ‘We can do this!’ and now we are!”
“It’s the perfect thing for two single moms to involve themselves in through the season,” says Racine. “We’re providing a really clean, wholesome atmosphere. We want people to come as a destination, to check out a great outdoor marketplace.”
According to Racine, the time is right to open a new flea market. “Marketplaces are really valuable in our community, and extremely valuable at a time of recession,” she says.
The Easthampton Outdoor Market will have room for 50 vendors, including farm booths, concessions, and port-a-potties. For the opening, Racine hopes to have local music.
Each 12×12 space has room for a vendor’s car as well. The price is $25 per day, with discounts available if a vendor commits to a longer residence. The market will be held in the parking lot of a former car dealership. The owner of the property, has been very supportive, says Racine, and the response from the community and from the press has been strongly favorable. For more information, call Carla Racine at (413) 387-5795 or e-mail carla@easthamptonflea.com.
