Entrepreneur Enters The Flea Market Business

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August 10, 2010 by Angela Shupe | 2 Comments

The next time you’re in Stafford, VA you might want to keep your eyes open for a new flea market that has just launched. Doug Shirley started the mostly open market last month on a piece of commercial property he owns reports Flea Market Zone.

He also operates a pet salon, crab shack, and a real estate business, among other wide-ranging interests, and he says he has leveraged these in opening the new market. The crab shack is selling food to market-goers, and he is using extra pet salon space for inside vendors.

“I do have about five spaces indoors for people who have sun-sensitive products or things that might melt, or if they are elderly and need to be inside,” he says.

Shirley is trying to draw vendors to his flea market with low booth prices. “I’m trying to go really affordable at the beginning to build the business and build the name,” he says. He charges $15 per space, or $25 for two spaces. So far, he has 20 vendors, with room for five to 10 indoors and 50 to 100 outdoors. The products seen for sale so far have ranged from clothing to electronics to records to home deco.

“It’s a real good price for people who can make $200 or $300, and they only pay $15 to get in,” Shirley says