Miami’s Flagler Flea Market is No More

Every weekend the dilapidated Flagler Dog Track’s empty parking lot comes alive. Hundreds of vendors set up shop in anticipation of potential customers. Paying $1 each for admission, upwards of 10,000 budget conscious consumers brave rain or shine in hopes of saving a buck or two. Billed as the largest flea market in Miami-Dade county, the Flagler Dog Track’s weekly flea market has attracted hundreds of thousands since it’s inception some 26 years ago.

That is, every weekend until now.

Today was the last day of the Flagler Flea Market and even the skies opening up didn’t keep the crowds away.

Some of the general merchandise available ranges from new items like furniture, jewelry, clothing and novelty items to toys as well as produce and even pets. You can also find used items and religious relics. But unlike shopping at a retail outlet, you can even negotiate pricing here.

While I haven’t shopped at the Flagler Flea Market since I purchased some finches for my father a few years back, I have fond memories of going there as a child with my mom. It once had a carnival for children. I remember riding mini-ferris wheels and sliding down slides in potato sacks; eating pinchos and drinking guarapo. It was odd walking through there today and knowing this would be the last time ANYONE could- would do so. Many people were upset by the closing.

“Sure I can buy new towels at K-Mart across the street,” says Maria Jimenez, an area resident, “but not at a $1 each. I understand everyone needs to make money which is why they are making the casino but this used to be a place to save money and now they’re turning it into a place to lose money which is only going to hurt the community- especially with the way the economy is now. I think it’s very ugly what they are doing to us and the vendors and I hope their casino fails.”

And she’s not alone. In addition to many bargain hunters, I heard many vendors complaining about the market’s closure as well.

“$1.00 for a pack of Strawberries. $1.00 for 6 green peppers. All you have to do is walk across the street to Winn Dixie to see the kinds of savings we offer here,” said a flustered Jose Guerras as he showed me his fresh produce. “I hope people realize what a disservice has been done to the community because of the track’s greed.”

Vendors are irate because they feel they’ve been duped by the Flagler Race Track’s management. Just last year, the vendors were coerced into voting for the new slots by being told the income would allow management to keep the flea market operational only to be told differently now; And although management has stated the closure is temporary and that they will be allowing the vendors to return after completion of the construction, vendors have little faith and I can’t say I blame them.

Looking around, I realized just how many people are going to truly suffer because of the flea market’s closing from families that will have to do without certain items because they can’t afford retail pricing to families that are losing their source of income.

It was at that moment, as I watched a little boy skip by while holding a bag of goldfish, that I understood their frustration.

This wasn’t just a flea market. It was a staple of the community, like the Orange Bowl, that’s now nothing more than a memory.