Since Tennessee native Ralph Glenn opened the Super Flea Market on South Kentucky Avenue in the early 1990s, thousands of bargain shoppers dedicate the first weekend of each month to browsing its 13 aisles for everything from antiques, perfumes, T-shirts, and computers to fresh produce, bath fittings, gutter protection, and home remodeling supplies. The massive selection includes both hand-me-downs and brand new merchandise, so customers can find just about anything underneath one roof. Over three days, more than 16,000 people flock to the 120,000-square-foot warehouse to shop.
Evansville natives Bob and Doloris Savage, former vendors of the Super Flea Market and retirees of the prosecutor’s office and the Courier and Press, leased the business in late 2006 and now run and maintain it. Together, they have replaced heating and air units, painted, remodeled areas such as the snack bar and bathrooms, and refilled 64 vacant booths. Bob admits the maintenance is a constant battle, but the couple is dedicated to the satisfaction of their vendors and regular clientele. “If it weren’t for them,” says Doloris, “we wouldn’t be here.”
The flea market has nearly 200 vendors; 85 percent market their wares every weekend year-round, and a few have been a mainstay for more than 15 years. Doloris, who manages the shows, manipulates her floor plan to ensure shoppers can peruse a variety of vendor products in each aisle. The strategy holds customers’ interest and keeps them browsing. In one aisle, shoppers can look at collectable baseball cards, homemade lamps, and sterling silver. Since vendor contracts are month-to-month, there is always something new and exciting to check out.
Aside from their regulars — patrons who travel from surrounding cities and monthly vendors — Bob and Doloris still meet a lot of flea market rookies. “I think a lot of people have the concept that we sell junky, yard sale stuff, and that’s not true,” she says. “If more people would come out and see what we have, they would be shopping here every month.”Since Tennessee native Ralph Glenn opened the Super Flea Market on South Kentucky Avenue in the early 1990s, thousands of bargain shoppers dedicate the first weekend of each month to browsing its 13 aisles for everything from antiques, perfumes, T-shirts, and computers to fresh produce, bath fittings, gutter protection, and home remodeling supplies. The massive selection includes both hand-me-downs and brand new merchandise, so customers can find just about anything underneath one roof. Over three days, more than 16,000 people flock to the 120,000-square-foot warehouse to shop.
Evansville natives Bob and Doloris Savage, former vendors of the Super Flea Market and retirees of the prosecutor’s office and the Courier and Press, leased the business in late 2006 and now run and maintain it. Together, they have replaced heating and air units, painted, remodeled areas such as the snack bar and bathrooms, and refilled 64 vacant booths. Bob admits the maintenance is a constant battle, but the couple is dedicated to the satisfaction of their vendors and regular clientele. “If it weren’t for them,” says Doloris, “we wouldn’t be here.”
The flea market has nearly 200 vendors; 85 percent market their wares every weekend year-round, and a few have been a mainstay for more than 15 years. Doloris, who manages the shows, manipulates her floor plan to ensure shoppers can peruse a variety of vendor products in each aisle. The strategy holds customers’ interest and keeps them browsing. In one aisle, shoppers can look at collectable baseball cards, homemade lamps, and sterling silver. Since vendor contracts are month-to-month, there is always something new and exciting to check out.
Aside from their regulars — patrons who travel from surrounding cities and monthly vendors — Bob and Doloris still meet a lot of flea market rookies. “I think a lot of people have the concept that we sell junky, yard sale stuff, and that’s not true,” she says. “If more people would come out and see what we have, they would be shopping here every month.”
For show dates and more information, visit www.superfleamkt.com.
