NICOLE KLIEST
Staff Writer
L.A. flea markets are richly abundant with an assortment of unique items certain to catch the eye of any decent bargain-shopper. Whether on a tight budget or looking for something funky to buy, there are a few essential Sunday flea markets that should be checked off every shopper’s list.
Held every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fairfax High School, the Melrose Trading Post has been benefiting the students at the high school since the flea market’s inception in 1998.
Due to state budget cuts, many L.A. public schools have lost money that would have been directed toward areas such as the arts, new computers and scholarships. In order to raise money for these miscellaneous needs, the students at Fairfax High work at the post every Sunday. Parking is free and the entry for students is only $1.
A flea market for the eccentric and artistic, the Melrose Trading Post hosts just the perfect mix of vendors.
“Every time I go there I find something different and unique,” said junior Nicole Serleto. “The atmosphere is so positive, it’s not too crowded, and I always know I’ll leave with something to add to one collection or another.”
Jewelry, vintage and non-vintage clothing, belts, and old photographs stand are a few among many vendors that offer the Los Angeles crowd something interesting to buy, or at least look at.
Along with the urban, shabby-chic style, flea markets are also a good place to look for classic novels to bring to class or just fill some bookshelves. Novels like “Catcher in the Rye,” “Crime and Punishment” and “1984” are just some of the oldies but goodies found on the book racks.
While flea markets are always useful to spice up a drab wardrobe with unique new pieces, the Fairfax market includes shabby chic furniture to add style and culture to a boring house. Here you can buy an assortment of delectable items such as dressers, end tables and headboards. While they are much pricier than the other goods at the market, each vintage piece look is well worth the higher price tag.
Second on the shopper’s essential flea market list is non other than the Rose Bowl Flea Market. Held at the Pasadena Rose Bowl every second Sunday of the month from 5 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., this market brings together more than 2,200 vendors.
While the parking is always free, the entry price varies depending on the time. For cheapest entry it is best to come after 9 a.m. and swing through the market for only $7.
The Rose Bowl Flea market in all its great collectible abundance and glory should carry a warning sign that reads: have a purpose. With the thousands, perhaps millions, of items at this market, it can be a daunting task to decide which item is worthy of $10.
“The vintage clothing at the Rose Bowl Flea Market is unreal,” said senior Shenae DeWeese. “Vendor upon vendor has clothing from different decades and there’s always something to find that will be perfect to incorporate with your clothing that you would regularly wear.”
Aside from the mass section of vintage clothing, another fantastic area holds the antiques pieces. From an army cap worn in Vietnam to Beach Boy records, old license plates, vintage lunch boxes, and movie posters from various parts of the world, it can all be found at the Rose Bowl.
“You definitely have to keep an eye out for what you’re looking for,” DeWeese said. “There are thousands of things to look at so if you go in with the mindset of what you want you’ll definitely find it.”
But for the perfect Sunday afternoon, head to the third and final market on Melrose. Just down the street from the Melrose Trading Post is the Jet Rag thrift store. Every Sunday the store hosts “$1 Sundays” from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Huge piles of clothing, hats, bags, and other accessories all for the cheap and easy price of $1 are piled outside of the store.
Although a good deal of excavation may be necessary, the point of a flea market is finding that treasure that another person considered trash. While it may be hard work scavenging through the overflowing barrels, with something like a vintage sweatshirt from Cambridge University or colorful shopping bags from Germany, there is no way to leave unsatisfied.
03-20-2008
