The Oldsmar Flea Market in Tampa Bay FL advertises itself as the largest in Florida. It’s been several years since I have been here.
Back when I lived in St Petersburg I visited this flea market often, just as an interesting place to walk around. The place has recently gone through some hard times. Several of the vendors here were busted a few years back for selling stolen or counterfeit stuff. When the pandemic hit in 2020, the flea market closed down for a long while. When it reopened, the new owners upped the rent for all the vendors, and many longtimers closed shop instead. Several of the places I used to go to are not here anymore.
Flea markets are like a tiny microcosm of “free market” capitalism. It’s as if the entire state of Florida emptied out its attic and had one huge yard sale. Everything here is a hustle, everybody is trying to make a quick buck, and the buyer has to beware of everything. Some of the vendors have been here for years, and on the other hand many don’t last more than a few months before they close and are replaced.
Some photos from an afternoon visit.
The Electronic Nomad 