The Grand Slam Market Place, which the owner calls a “flea market mall,” opened in the last week in October, in what used to be a Kmart store on the edge of St. Louis, Mo., at 10041 Lewis and Clark Blvd. in Bellefontaine. And despite being open only a month, the indoor market is thriving. “We’re about 80 percent full,” says owner Chris Hahs, “and I anticipate that in the next two weeks we will be closer to 90 percent full. And most of our renters are long term monthly vendors.”
Hahs acquired the building and converted half of it to self-store units three years ago. Now he is opening up the other half as an indoor flea market. He says the location offers some significant advantages over other local venues, including air conditioning, heating, and the presence of a professional management team on site seven days a week. “Because we were originally a Kmart,” he says, “we have 10 acres of parking, great access, and a great location.”
The response from the community and local bureaucrats has been very encouraging, according to Hahs. “The City of Bellefontaine is 100 percent in support of this. They find it’s a great means to reuse a building that before we took it over had sat vacant for five years. But we found an alternative use for it, first being a storage facility and then bringing in the flea market mall.”
But Hahs has plans for even more growth: “We have a second phase that I’ll add in about six months to a year that will double the size of the market.” A food court and events program are in the works as well.
The vendor mix at the Grand Slam Market Place runs about 70 percent new merchandise dealers. The flea market now hosts about 80 vendors, many taking up multiple booths from the 140 spaces available. Rates start at $150 per month, and the market is open Wednesday through Sunday. For further information, contact market manager Lee Stokes at (314) 227-9115.
Photos courtesy Grand Slam Market Place.