Flea Market: Sebastopol vs Santa Rosa

Last Sunday I went to the Santa Rosa Flea Market for the first time this season. I usually go, when I do, to the Sebastopol market, as I have done for the last 25 years.

Even on a slow Sunday, the Seb market is larger than the SR, mainly because it's a mercado, as well as flea market. Several latino-oriented clothing, vegetable, & misc. stalls at Seb, none at SR. Lots of antique-y bric-brac stalls at SR, fewer at Seb. Crowds seem to be approx. equal at both.

The Sebastopol Flea Market has dwindled in size considerably over the last decade or so. When I first started shopping there, in the mid-80's, it was a vibrant country flea marlet, the large majority of stalls filled. Lots of permanent merchants, with storage shed setups. But anymore it's partially-filled at best. Rows that used to be filled with one-time sellers now are mostly empty; some have even been removed.

I've often wondered why this is. A comination of factors, I suppose. The SR market is probably easier to attend for SR & east county residents. eBay and craigslist have no doubt had an impact. But I'm somewhat surprised at the anemic seller attendance, at both markets really. I'd've thought that the current economic disaster would've brought a lot more people out, selling to get by. Apparently not, yet at least.

One reason I wanted to look at the SR market, was because of the ownership change at the Sebastopol market. It used to be a quaint but busy family-owned country market. I've visited flea markets all over the U.S. over the years. I have not seen one anywhere, of any size, that is as officious as the Seb. market has become. I purchased a shelving unit at the SR market. I asked their very laid-back security dude if I could drive in to pick it up - "no problem!" Contrarily, at the Seb market, if you want to drive in, you have to run a security checkpoint gauntlet, fill out a form giving them your personal info, all for a "Five Minute Pass". Then have your info screened and "OK'd" at the security booth. Security people are all over the market, on patrol, with radios & uniforms. What's up with that?

I haven't tried to set up a booth at the Sebastopol Market for a few years. Maybe the person running it has changed. I don't know. But a few years ago, I tried to set up a chair massage and reflexology booth. I was finally contacted a week later to be told " there is already 1 person doing that there, but you can contact her and see if you can alternate Sundays."..

Huh? If I want to sell sell tomatoes but someone else is already... that means I cant? I don't look at Farmers Markets and Flea Markets as competition, just more choices for the shopper.

Maybe it has changed. Seemed to be an "inner group" that had exclusive rights to be a vendor in Seb. By the way, I got a similar response from the SR coordinator... You'd think I was trying to open a WalMart Reflexology SuperStore!!!!

brings back memories of the marin city and ashby berkeley bart station flea markets way long ago. Marin city is long gone. Ashby st. is still happening. Anyone been to the Ashby St. one ?

Hi - I'm also usually disappointed by the Sebastopol flea market. I'm aware of an occasional flea market in SR at the Veteran's parking lot off hwy. 12. Is there another one in SR I'm not aware of?

Thanks......

One of the things I miss since moving here from Albuquerque is the flea market, sixteen acres of everything you can imagine, food of all sorts (the best chili powder ever in bulk) jewelry, and tables and tables of beads, clothing, old stuff of all sorts from antiques to junk from people's basements, attics and garages, land (yes land), tools, car parts and accessories, herbs (I became friends with man retired from the Navy who got bored with fishing and started using what he'd learned from his curandera grandmother and would wild harvest herbs and sell them along with advice on their use) toys, housewares, arts and crafts of all sorts from velvet paintings to Indian pottery and whimsical stuff to hang on your garden walls, plants, flower pots, etc, etc, etc.

Why can't we have something like this here?

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The Fourty and Eight Flea Market in Santa Rosa at the Veterans Center is great but it is only for a few months per year and one sunday each of those months. There are more antique dealers and pickers there who rotate between SF, SR, and Alameda the big dog in the Flea business.

I totally agree about the heavy handed security there in Sebastopol. I go there almost every weekend and buy some produce there and plants and sometimes get a deal on furniture or some other thing I just gotta have. The last time I went there I tried to get a piece of furniture out of there before the dealer left and was going through all the crap paperwork they wanted me to fill out and found the whole process totally invasive and I told them so and was none too happy. I almost missed the dealer driving out the other side as it took 10 minutes to get that all done.

When I came back out to leave the "security" guy on the 4 wheeler stopped his cart short of me on the speed bump as I left then accused me of trying to rear end his cart. I was livid and he refused to move it blocking my path. I backed up and drove around the other side to leave. The guy told me I would be banned from coming to the market again. That whole experience left me reeling and I immediately called the office on return home and gave it to them verbally telling the owner that I would not tolerate that behaviour and would call the police next time. I also told him that I would come back as often and regularly as I so chose to and that their so called security team was just a bunch of punks that should be told how to treat paying customers.

I only wish the laid back was there, and while the shopping experience is nice, I for one will never again ask to drive in there EVER.

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Posted in reply to the post by jbox:

I'm aware of an occasional flea market in SR at the Veteran's parking lot off hwy. 12. Is there another one in SR I'm not aware of?

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The Veteran's Lot flea market is the only one I know about. It takes place one Sunday/mo. during the warm months. As I was leaving the other day, I saw their schedule sign - I believe there're two markets scheduled for the remainder of this season - Sunday, August 16, and I believe, Sunday, Sept. 27.

For SoCo southerners - I don't go to Petaluma much, but I think I remember seeing a sign that there's a flea market on their fairgrounds there?

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Posted in reply to the post by isettagal:

I only wish the laid back was there, and while the shopping experience is nice, I for one will never again ask to drive in there EVER.

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I'm with you completely on that, isettagal! There is no reason why those people need to have my personal information on file! Officious little pricks! I'm planning on selling once this season; it will not be at Sebastopol. I'll continue to shop there frequently, as farm-related items I can use are fairly common. What I purchase is often heavy or bulky. I guess I'll need to remember to put a hand truck in the back of my pickup. Whenever the SR mart is on, they'll get my business.

I think I know the four-wheeler security guy you're talking about. I've had the misfortune to converse with him a few times over the years. He strikes me as being very impressed with himself. He seems to demonstrate that some people are attracted to minor security jobs, because it gives them a sense of power in their petty little lives.

Sound like Blackwater got a new gig since being kicked out of Iraq!!!!!!!