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| - As PW mentioned, this is NOT the type of flea markets like the Memphis drive-in or one down in Hartville or countless Church craft fairs that my Grandma and mom dragged me along to as a child.
Unlike the old flea markets of yesteryear, the Flea vendors don't have product that's caked in dust, crafts that say 'jesus is the reason for the season' or look like Iola Boylan handicrafts. Very few tchotchkes here. Although I didn't buy anything when I went, all the prices are marked on items and you likely wouldn't bargain on every item like at the old flea markets.
These vendors and crowds (and prices) are straight out of stuffwhitepeoplelike catalogs. Trinkets made from recycled material, handmade soaps, clothes (many Cleveland-specific), things that are naturally and locally made, and a few vintage items. During my December visit, the basement level also featured 20-30 gourmet food vendors (jams, honey, cupcakes, etc). Upstairs in the beautifully maintained upper level, with wooden floors, a stage, similar to the Croatian social hall that is now the Beachland Ballroom, with more of the vendors.
The 3 stars isn't for the organization, the vendors had product that was priced a bit high (especially for Cleveland standards) and I was admittedly bummed that there was only one flea for November or December; you think there would be at least one more to take advantage of the holiday shopping.
In spite of the faults, it's an anchor attraction to bring people and money to the neighborhood and gives you a reason to check anything else out in the neighborhood (which at this point, is admittedly not much).
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