Flea market: just asking

[melscarandtruckrental]

Would any vendors be interested in a 5 day a week MEGA flea market (200 plus booths) in West Kelowna and would people here support it. No booth enquiries here please as this is just a poll. Will advertise later if I get a good response.

[zookeeper]

I was going to suggest such a thing in the "new store, what would you choose thread". We've seen these "indoor markets" in California. Something with an ethnic flair would be nice, shopping and food! I am not a shopper, malls and the same old big brick stores, the same old selection everywhere you go, fast food and chain diners, yuck. That, and treasure hunting all under one roof! I like it! :D

[sassybee]

That's a great idea, as long as it doesn't end up being a bunch of junky crap like the one in Okanagan Falls. Foods, handmade stuff, like an indoor farmers market but with more flare!

[luckylewie]

I think the indoor flea market idea is great for West Kelowna or West Bank.

[kibbs]

The rultand one works good ,elks is gone so id say its worth a shot,i probably would check it out .the farmers market is always busy you might want to make a combo farmer/flea ,market.

[Spocky]

I don't see the WK market supporting anything of this size with enough business to pay the rent. 200 booths wouldn't fit into the dearly departed Future Shop, so unless Mel has an inside track on some really huge indoor area that he can get dirt cheap (and we all know that WK landlords think their properties are actually on Robson St.) it's going to be another short lived here today gone tomorrow business. But I love your gorilla, Mel! :)

[theyeti]

i agree it wont work in westbank .

for some reason westbank has way too much retail already. the only solution is to let the junk close up and leave behind that witch ppl use .

i do like the idea of a large indoor market tho. i just dont think westbank will support it .

[Fancy]

Kelowna had the indoor flea market at two different locations (downsized?). I think first in the mall where Visions is and then moved to a location near London Drugs and then just petered out. The ones that seem to make it for a long period of time are the combos.

[Spocky]

Kelowna had the indoor flea market at two different locations (downsized?). I think first in the mall where Visions is and then moved to a location near London Drugs and then just petered out. The ones that seem to make it for a long period of time are the combos.

I think that the challenge is going to be to keep 200+ people in a location full time when it's really only going to be worth their while on Sat. and Sun. Especially on this side of the bridge, IMHO it seems like a business concept ripe for quick failure.

[kibbs]

that is about the only reason i would cross the bridge on a weekend .you gottta advertise it .rutland does little and many still don't know it is there.
http://www.castanet.net/events/indoor_- ... rket/17425

[logic]

The indoor Flea Market is a terrific idea and the perfect location is the the "Zellers and other huge empty building with great access and parking" - sorry I just moved here and that's the only way I can describe it!

The Arizona market in Yuma is known worldwide (http://www.arizonamkt.com). It opens Thursday through Sunday and attracts millions of visitors/spenders from across the country - like the Quartzite Flea market. Something similar in WK would be good/exciting for the area - it would probably be frequented by snowbirds on their return as well as from all those within a comfortable driving distance.

LET"S FORM A COMMITTEE of some sort and DO IT!

[Hmmm]

Nice idea but if its going to work at the size you mentioned, it needs to be in Kelowna. Don't fool yourself and get excited about the idea and lose track of the facts. Most people who live in Kelowna never cross the bridge to shop.

I do love the idea though, and a smaller scale one might work on the Westside. I should add, that a small one that gained popularity over time could expand to the size you mentioned. It would take a few years minimum to do that.

[Spocky]

The indoor Flea Market is a terrific idea and the perfect location is the the "Zellers and other huge empty building with great access and parking" - sorry I just moved here and that's the only way I can describe it!

The Arizona market in Yuma is known worldwide (http://www.arizonamkt.com). It opens Thursday through Sunday and attracts millions of visitors/spenders from across the country - like the Quartzite Flea market. Something similar in WK would be good/exciting for the area - it would probably be frequented by snowbirds on their return as well as from all those within a comfortable driving distance.

LET"S FORM A COMMITTEE of some sort and DO IT!

I've got a better idea! Let's have a Shania Twain Museum! :dyinglaughing:

IMHO, 1-way express ticket to bankruptcy court. But that's just me. Best of luck to any foolhardy... make that... adventurous enough to attempt it.

[logic]

Have you ever taken note of the traffic constantly north and south? Busy eh! However, none of these travelers will pull-off the highway for a Canadian Tire or Winners - they have them in the city where they have driven from and where they are driving to. But they will take the time for something different. Try the Shania Twain project first and see what I mean - people WILL go out of their way for something different!

In the early seventies, people said the "English Pub" concept would never work here. That was because whoever tried it didn't do it right! Hundreds of successful people have proved that. WK has the passing traffic, the space and people these days are always on the look-out for something interestingly different. I already have successful businesses in two countries so as you young folk say ( I think) IMHO - get together and brainstorm - you may be pleasantly surprised at what can be achieved without the use of batteries or PEDs. Enjoy the rest of the day. :sunshine:

[Fancy]

Where the extreme theatre is would be an ideal place - get people coming and going. I love flea markets and used to go to one that utilized a huge mall on Sundays (until the stores opened on Sundays) with farmer's market outside. Still going on decades later and up to over 500 stalls. Would be great to have a flea market on the westside.