Spring Garden Indoor Antique & Vintage Market
9th & Spring Garden

By Landon Small

Tired of Saturday cartoons? Why not come down to the Spring Garden Indoor Antique and Village Flea Market any Saturday from 8AM until 4PM!

Every Saturday morning from November through March, Tony Soprano and a herd of his vendors break open the doors of an old 36,000 square foot, FedEx warehouse at 9th and Spring Garden Streets to enthusiastic shoppers who are "raring to go" to find their treasures in the market.

"Each week there are about 60 vendors, but they’re not always the same! This week we had about 10 new vendors and each week they rotate so you never have the same line up time after time," Tony Soprano, the flea market manager, said.

This specific flea market specializes in antique & vintage type merchandise, so customers can find anything from Victorian-age furniture to retro clothing. Vintage jewelry is a big hit as well.

"Also, all of the vendors have some sort of Christmas or holiday type items for sale," Soprano said. Even the Market’s information booth is decorated for Christmas.

The vendors enjoy the market as much as the shoppers. "I meet all sorts of interesting people while working at the flea market. I have sports items for the guys and jewelry for the girls. I even met my girlfriend indirectly at the flea market," said Shell Farber, a local vendor.

Recently, the market added a changing room for their customers to try on clothing, which has been a big hit since now there is no need to hope apparel fits; you can try it on and know just how good the clothing fits you when you make your purchase.

Customers can also come to the flea market with an empty stomach in hopes of getting a good meal.

"We have a decent size food court with tables and chairs. We have food vendors like Lou’s Food Grill from 3rd and Packer and Big Dan’s Deli from 8th and Oregon. There are usually donuts, grilled egg sandwichesand coffee in the morning for our customers as well," Soprano said.

On Saturdays with nice weather, the flea market even stretches outside. Last Saturday there were about 10 vendors outside, but in the future Soprano hopes to use one of the front parking lots as additional space for vendors.

If you would like to become a vendor, the process is easy. Just access the website, www.philafleamarkets.org and click "Vendor Application." From there you can print and fill out the application. "We have free parking, free admission, an ATM and now our vendors also accept all major credit cards for customers too," Soprano said.

The flea markets have benefited non-profit organizations since 1987. For example, the Fairmount Flea Market at 22nd & Fairmount benefits the park behind the Eastern State Penitentiary.

So this Saturday you should head on down to the Spring Garden Indoor Antique and Village Flea Market at 9th and Spring Garden Streets beginning at 8AM. You’ll know you’re there when Santa Claus waves you into the parking lot!