Where Could We Have a New Marin Flea Market?

One year, when I broke my ankle, and had to find some income, I began going to the flea markets to sell. Limping around on a cast, I invested in most any old/antique type thing I could find. I had a knack for it. I found a bag of crystals for example, at a used sale, that I made money from for a long time, selling individual pieces. See photos.

I sold at first off the top of my car! I bought a used black fur throw, put crystal pieces, silver you name it on the hood or roof of my car, and I made money. I survived!

That was in Marin City, but they went out of business when redevelopment moved in with  low income housing and new stores right where we used to have the flea sales. I soon migrated to Oakland, and sold there at Laney College and at the Coliseum and even in Berkeley flea market. I am good at outdoor sales, and love the people I would meet. Well, at least most of them. I met many people and sold many items for several years on the weekends. I also hand painted cases full of used wine bottles, I cleaned up and painted for candle holders and decor.

Then, I began to feel it was getting too dangerous alone. One evening  my car would not start, no one to jump it, and it was getting dark. After that experience, a couple weeks later, I was dog tired, coming home on the freeway, busy traffic and I notice my tables starting to slide down off the roof- towards all those cars!! I pulled off in a safe place, and began trying to get out of the car. Well, being the woman I am, I had tied those tables threw my window frames, both sides, and when the tables slid, the ropes tightened so tight, I could not get out of the car!Now I envision a police officer coming up to my car, this is what I call a "jan jan" moment, lol.

These are my I LOVE LUCY moments in life. I sat there thinking, and I remembered my scissors were in my purse, so I began to cut at the ropes, thinking to myself, I could just see the headlines now "Woman Chops Way Out of Car on Busy Freeway" and I began to laugh to myself. Well, I made it home, leaving three worn folding tables on the side of the freeway, and retired from "the business" that day.

Well  now that times are tough again, and I need to still sell so many collectables, where to go? I found that Richmond has a flea market just over the bridge that is fair in price for a space, so I tried it. I lost my shirt that day (not the one I was wearing). I lost money, and I have not been back.

I am wondering why with all those empty store fronts and very large vacant lots along Francisco Blvd., why one could not be used for a new flea market? We really need one here in Marin County. Many vendors are looking for a good place to sell reasonable used items that other folks may need in our hard economic times. And yes, antiques also (just think, we could compete with the NEW TARGET store down the road in a year- tch tch!).

But really, in the mean time, I have an eye glued in for collectables I think I could resell, so I may find myself once again on the freeway between here and the Oakland Coliseum, but this time, I will put my one table IN THE CAR. I have learned my lesson. No more rooftops.

If anyone knows of a good spot, and wants to make stall space money off the vendors etc., we could perhaps have a flea here? Many of us could benefit from one here in Marin County again.  Any ideas?