Does anyone do regular flea market shopping? We don't have any that I know of in our area, but I'm going to the Chicago area in October. We'll be visiting a friend there and I've asked her to hunt one up for us.

If you shop at any, what kind of things do you see? Are they really bargains? I'm mostly looking for things to go into the Christmas shoeboxes for children for Samaritan's Purse. I'm hoping to find some plain t-shirts, small toys, things like that.

You can start one yourself it's very easy you just book a venue then advertise and people pay for spots. You have them bring their own tables etc then you usually make a pretty good profit from the space rents depending on the venue costs.
It is pretty easy they hold the insurance and you book far enough in advance that you can advertise so you have a lot of vendors that is what brings in people.

LOL I have done tons of stuff like this it's usually fun and profitable with the right planning and enough lead time.

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"Men can't be fat only fat women can be fat" Peter Griffin
"Without the environment where will we do stuff?" JoeJack-Strickland Propane

Annadrose----Whoa! I just want to go to one for a few hours. I don't have enough ambition to run one. Maybe you should come to this area and whip one up.

I haven't been to a flea market in a good 3 months. I usually get paintings and little things for decorations around the home.

LOL I got a little carried away. If you can't find a flea market craigslist is kind of like one.

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"Men can't be fat only fat women can be fat" Peter Griffin
"Without the environment where will we do stuff?" JoeJack-Strickland Propane

I have not heard of any in the Chicago area, but I am sure there are some. I just don't go to them.
I used to go all of the time when I lived in California. They were a LOT of fun!

One thing I know you will find at one are fake designer purses. *bleh* just the thought makes my skin crawl!

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Never grow a wishbone, daughter, where your backbone ought to be!

Around the Boston area, the only things I've seen at flea markets are total junk. I mean, the best thing they have are men's cheapo tube socks.

slw1, I doubt you are likely to find any outstanding bargains on shoe box items at a flea market. At least, not if they're like the one's around here. You may find some cheap used clothing & toys, but as far as "new" items to put in the shoe boxes.... I could be wrong, but you'll probably have better luck getting the deals like that awesome Meijer deal you tipped me on. (Thanks again! )

At the flea markets around here, you can find the standard flea market junk/treasure..... produce, tools (new & old), old stoneware, carnival glass, collectibles, estate jewelry, CDs/DVDs (new & used), used items from home.... clothing, furniture, housewares, etc. There are also venders that sell things like new T-shirts, usually like Harley Davidson or something of the sort..... and they're not really cheap. Just don't get your hopes up too high. Then if you do get lucky, it will be a pleasant surprise. Good luck!

.

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~~~MsMiser

Thanks everyone. I've spotted one that we're going to try. It's Wolff's in Rosemont. I've been told it is huge and has everything new, used, antiques.

I went to the flea market in Shipshewanna last year and found some adorable embroidered socks, with kittens, rainbows, soccer balls, footballs etc. I got 18 pair for $10 which I thought was good. There was a lot of junk but I did find some mini-back packs that had Hello Kitty on them for $1 each. So I think it will be a hunt, but half the fun in finding bargains is the hunt.

If you are looking for cheap items to fill the shoe box try a Dollar Tree.
Of Course just about everything in there is a 1.00. at times they will put things on sale for xx % off and some items are 2/1.00.

At Holidays I do gift baskets for the kids classmates and this is where I get 99.9% of the stuff.

Last Easter I did Easter Baskets for 2 classrooms ( 23 in 1 and 6 in the other ) I got the Bunny Baskets( Easter Buckets in the shape of a Easter Bunny too cute !) at the DT and all the candy there. Cost less than 50.00 to do Teacher's and the kids Baskets.