Positive turnout for flea market

ST. REGIS – Organizers of the last flea market of the year in St. Regis said vendors were pleasantly surprised with the number of Mineral County residents who came to peruse their wares last weekend.

Sponsored by the St. Regis Community Council, the event last Saturday, Aug. 16 and Sunday, Aug. 17, featured a wide array of goods and services including food and refreshments like kettle corn and cotton candy.

Everything from antiques, arts and crafts, military surplus and more was available living up to what co-organizer John Cheesman predicted, that there would something for everyone. Cheesman said the turnout from vendors as well as customers was better than expected.

“I just went around and talked to some of the vendors and they seem pretty pleased so far,” Cheesman said. “There have been a good amount of people and there’s a pretty good selection as well.”

Cheesman said business had been steady and while he said the event pales in comparison to the spring flea market which attracts thousands of customers and vendors, he was still satisfied with how many people did how up.

“There are some people with some crafts made out of rocks that are kind of neat,” Cheesman said. “There are quite a few things made out of glass here this year. There are some really beautiful things out here. It’s a good crowd this year.”

The proceeds from the flea market will go directly back to the community according to Cheesman. He said in the past, the community council has purchased signs to advertise businesses in the area, scholarships and jerseys for local soccer and Little League teams.

“In the past we’ve held dances and just a lot of community stuff,” Cheesman said. “We’ve help with Christmas and Easter. We help the fire department with the fireworks. We give a scholarship to someone that has graduated from St. Regis. The reason we do this is to give back to the community.”

One of the few local vendors said they were having moderate success selling items from an estate sale. Bruce and Mary Jo Berry of Superior offered up tables full of ceramic items as well as a variety of antiques.

“It’s been slow but steady,” Bruce said. “We did this years and years ago during the spring sale and we decided this was a good opportunity to get rid of some things.”

The Berrys said one thing they were benefitting from was a relatively obscure interior and exterior decorating trend. They said several people made purchases of older items and planned to use them to decorate their homes. They referred to the trend as “shabby-chic.”

“We sold some old ceiling tiles and some other things,” Mary Jo said. “We sold some old wrought iron and these old wooden posts. People are using them to decorate their stores. It’s pretty popular now.”