Woodruff Place Flea Market Resumes After COVID-19 Delay

The Woodruff Place Flea Market took place on October 2nd and 3rd. The flea market, normally held in the first week of June, was postponed this year due to COVID-19. The market held a variety of different items, from the vintage dishware and clothing of the neighborhood’s inhabitants, to ice cream and lemonade provided by the various food vendors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Certo, a homeowner in Woodruff Place, gave background on the flea market and the neighborhood’s rich history. Certo explained that there are many things, including funds, necessary to keep the neighborhood running. Woodruff Place has been around since the 1870s and is listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This is due to the rich infrastructure, such as the fountains and the town hall.

“Our neighborhood is very active,” Certo said. “We have lots of things that we do together. It takes money to keep those things going. Neighbors donate their lawns, they sell things, vendors come and participate, and we just ask that anyone who participates donate 10% or more of their sales to keep the neighborhood going.”

Certo has been living in Woodruff Place since 1999, and participating in the flea market since 2000. Certo expressed that over the years, the flea market hasn’t changed in character, but has changed due to the fact that more people participate in the market. This can be attributed to the fact that the flea market attracts many types of people from all areas.

“This is a real neighborhood,” Certo said. “It has defined boundaries and very well organized civic infrastructure, and it shows. A neighborhood like this can put on a flea market because we want other people to have the same kind of success as we do in their neighborhoods.”

The flea market began in 1975, and over the years has grown from inhabitants selling odds and ends out of their yards, to vendors selling food and handmade art. Now, over 200 yards are filled with antiques, clothes, and more.

Aubrey Mullins, the owner of Silver Linings Jewelry, is one of the vendors that participates in the flea market. Mullins has participated for five years, and has had various friends and family that have lived in the neighborhood and allowed her to use their lawn.

“The flea market is really laid back, and the people are very friendly,” Mullins said. “It’s always a really great market to sell at. Even though people may think it’s just a flea market, people really show up, and it’s always very well attended. I always say that if I ever lived downtown I would love to live here because of the cool historic nature of the neighborhood.”

Martha Latta, the owner of Stomping Ground, recently opened a brick-and-mortar store in Windsor Park.

Latta has been attending and shopping at the flea market for 15 years, and just became a vendor this year. Stomping Ground is a gift shop that sells plants, shirts, soaps, candles and more.

“The flea market has gotten more popular,” Latta said. “It’s gotten bigger. You come and walk from porch to porch and visit your friends, and if you see something you want to buy, you buy it.”

Kashena Hottinger is both a homeowner in Woodruff Place, and a vendor at the flea market. Hottinger shares an apartment in the neighborhood with a few other artists, which were all selling from their front lawn. Hottinger began selling in the flea market this year, and has been coming to the flea market for at least 10 years. Hottinger sells handmade stained-glass, painted stones, and mosaics.

"Everyone is really friendly in this neighborhood,” Hottinger said. “People have some of the stuff they’re selling in their homes, and then you get to walk through their homes, and in a historic neighborhood that’s really amazing. My favorite part of selling is meeting everyone that goes by, that’s really fun."

Even though the flea market was delayed by COVID-19, vendors and shoppers alike still turned out to show their support and appreciation for the historic neighborhood and its inhabitants. As of right now, the flea market will be held once again next June, and more information about the flea market can be found on Woodruff Place’s website.