By IvyLee Rosario
A new year-round indoor flea market has come to the area of Wausau, Wisconsin and is open every Friday from 9am to 7pm. The market, which is located at 801 Genrich Street, first opened on December 12 by its owners Kevin and Jennifer Huchthausen.
The idea for a flea market was a no brainer to Kevin as he has been involved with flea markets in Wisconsin for several years. “I love garage sales, I always like finding and selling stuff,” said Kevin Huchthausen. “I love the negotiation and the thrill of the hunt either looking or selling.”
The interest in flea markets has always been there for Kevin, who said that nowadays, online auctions and eBay are hurting the flea market industry. “These online auctions are basically as long as you have money you can buy an item. I think the idea of hunting for the item is still fun, finding bargains and collectables.”
The Wausau flea market has over forty vendors and is growing rapidly with every passing week. There are no other flea markets in central Wisconsin that are open on Friday’s so that makes it a perfect day for the Huchthausen’s market. “Anyone who has joined us has not left yet so we are doing a good job especially for a new business,” said Huchthausen.
The flea market, which occupies a whopping 12,000 square feet has plans for expansion including an outdoor market in the summer with an extra fifty vendors and the possibility of another 6,000 square feet in the fall season. With being an entirely new market, the Huchthausen’s Wausau flea seems to be successful with its customers.
“The other day one of our vendors did a customer count on a clicker machine and they got 350 customers just in one day,” said Huchthausen. “Everyone has a little picker in them!”