The holiday season is upon us and what is fast becoming one of Barbados’ most favourite past times is already abuzz with activity.
In the past five years or so, the popularity of flea markets has skyrocketed exponentially, to the point that it has become a growing subculture.
On most Saturday mornings arguably hundreds of people criss-cross the island from one flea market to the next, hunting and hoping to score amazing deals on new and used items for a fraction of the retail price.
Flea markets take place at various locations throughout the country and are now a fixture year-round. One of these locations is Waterford, St. Michael.
On the weekend that a Barbados TODAY team visited, seasonal music blared creating a festive atmosphere for the socially distanced bargain hunters that scoured, haggled, and patronised the dozens of stalls.
Contrary to what its name would suggest, vendors sell more than just “junk” at these events. They sell everything you can imagine, from home goods to jewellery, baked goods, plants, natural juices, clothes, toys and other treasures.
For Rhonda Bryan-Hutson and several other vendors, flea markets have become a lifeline specifically as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic challenges.
Bryan-Hutson indicated that this was the catalyst for her renting a space at the flea market and getting into the retail industry part-time. She sells a combination of new and gently used items and although she had no experience at all, for her, it was a good opportunity to earn supplemental income.
“I attend flea markets because it is one way to get out there and show people what you have. It is a way of getting additional revenue as well. So, it’s like a two in one. You have stock, you’re able to show it and sell it at a reasonable price, generating additional income for yourself.
“I started since COVID-19 really, coming out to the flea markets and I find that it is very successful because again, it is a win-win. Persons are looking for quality things at reasonable prices and the flea market offers that opportunity. Also, while they are at the flea market not only can they purchase your goods but there is a variety of things that they can also source. So, it is like a one-stopshop,” she said.
Keishaunna Browne, a student, was among those looking for sales, but according to her, also present to support small businesses.
It was her maiden visit at one of these open-air markets and because of the inexpensive prices, she expressed that it won’t be her last.
“They (prices) are very reasonable. You can get a nice romper for $5 and I find it very efficient for me. I’m actually a student and I work part-time. . . . so coming to something like this is very beneficial to me,” she said while scouring through items won a table.
Meanwhile, long-time friends Sandra Bradshaw-Cox and Margaret Taylor-Aimey are all but flea market connoisseurs.
If there is a market that they haven’t attended it’s because it hasn’t been staged yet. Their strategy is to never shop solo because tracking deals with a friend allows one to multiply their efforts and temporarily stake their claim to desirable items by parking themselves or their partner in front of them.
“This is the third and last one. We go from flea market to flea market. We go and look for the bargains. In this season you got to find the bargains because money tight and we do find a lot of bargains.
“We find dresses, we find shoes, jewellery. I came from Christ Church and we went to St. Gabriel’s, St. Paul’s and the final stop is Waterford. I just bought a pair of shoes,” she said while showing off her purchase.
Contrary to what some may believe, Bradshaw-Cox stressed that lots of treasures are to be found and money saved at flea markets but she emphasised only if people know how to look for them. “We used to frown on hand me downs. Not now …
I find that a lot of people are into the used stuff to make ends meet.
“When you look around it is not only blacks buying the used stuff, you finding the whites and Indians buying used stuff too and nobody ain’t frowning at nobody because everybody in the same boat.
“When you look you see a lot of people that you never thought would come to a flea market to get bargains. If you save here at the flea market then you got money that you can spend someplace else. I have a household to run… so it really helps.”
Taylor-Aimey, who described herself as a very good negotiator, agreed as she stressed that since a lot of people have lost their jobs because of the pandemic, everybody is looking for means of survival.
“So we come out and buy stuff when we can, a little bit here and there. Some stuff is relatively new but some people got stuff for $40 and $50.
“You shouldn’t bring it to a flea market trying to sell it because a lot of people don’t have that, they leave home with just $50. But we do come around and try to support as much as we can. It is also an opportunity to get out for a bit, having been stuck in the house because of COVID. It doesn’t have to be a long time, a couple of hours here and there, then you feel good about yourself.” (KC)
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