Lawrenceville flea market makes return
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It was an idea that worked: Lawrenceville Little Flea will return for another season starting Saturday at the corner of Butler and 36th streets.
The flea market is a project of Equita, a 4-year-old store in Lawrenceville that sells fair-trade, organic and vegan-friendly products. This year, it will be more than a congregation of vendors.
"The Cultural Corner" will showcase art, live music, readings and dance. Non-profits are also welcome to set up at Little Flea's community table to let the public know they exist and what they do.
Vendors' wares include furniture, housewares, vintage and handmade goods, books, antiques and food. The market runs every Saturday from spring to fall from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In its mission statement for the market, Equita proposes it as "an economic catalyst for budding entrepreneurs." The parking lot that Equita rents for the flea market has room for about 20 vendors. They change from week to week and are vetted to ensure there's not too much of the same thing. Regular vendors pay $15 and one-timers, $20. The application process is ongoing through the season.
"Last year was kind of a test run to see if it could work," said one of Equita's owners, Michael Solano-Mullings. "We were happy that people hung out. People walking their dogs would stop and stay. We don't have hard numbers but the crowds grew Saturday after Saturday."
One regular vendor whom the organizers call "our artist-in-residence" is 89-year-old Victoria Hruska of Braddock, who makes jewelry out of old things.
"We invite crafters who repurpose and up-cycle materials. We seek out vendors who have quality products. Some are budding entrepreneurs. And we have just regular folks who want to clean out their garage."
The performance corner this year will allow musicians to sell their CDs and promote upcoming shows and writers to sell their books, he said.
Little Flea has a blog, http://lawrencevillelittleflea.blogspot.com. For more information, contact coordinator Sara Parks at 412-353-0109 or lawrencevillelittleflea@gmail.com.
First Published March 31, 2010 12:00 am
