By AnnaBelle Boone / The Jambar
Patrons gathered downtown for the Youngstown Flea, featuring small-businesses, vintage shops and other homemade creations from 9 a.m .- 3 p.m. Nov. 2.
The monthly flea market event was held at 365 E Boardman St., across the street from Penguin City Brewing Co.
The event has vendors selling products such as baked goods, curated vintage items, plants and more.
There were a variety of food vendors at the Fall Flea, including some for pets. Jennifer Lopez, the owner of Wookee Cookees, has tabled the flea market for two seasons.
“I have worked markets in three different states, and this is the best market I have ever worked,” Lopez said.
Lopez started her business when her rescue beagle, Suzie, got sick after eating a commercially-made dog treat. When Suzie recovered, Lopez began researching what ingredients go into dog cookies.
She decided to make her own, as she couldn’t find healthy or allergy-friendly dog cookies.
“I went vegan across the board,” said Lopez. “[The treats are] allergy-friendly vegan because some dogs can’t tolerate a lot of chicken or fish, so they’re having dietary issues.”
Lopez and Wookee Cookees was just one of the many vendors located throughout the event.
A common product for vendors at the Flea is jewelry, with options including silverware forged into rings or other handmade pieces.
Amanda Austin, owner of Midnight Violets in Clay, said her business was a great way to get involved in jewelry after the birth of her daughter.
“Basically, when I had my daughter, I needed something to do, and I used to stay up well past midnight to do some jewelry, and her name is Violet,” Austin said.
Midnight Violets In Clay sells handcrafted clay jewelry, along with permanent jewelry, hair clips and bookmarks.
“My favorite time is the Christmas Flea,” Austin said. “It’s just busy and fun and festive.”
One of the businesses that’s been with the Flea since its first location is Kelly Simmon’s booth, Nitro-Flury Glass.
“I make stained glass, and I do drawings, art prints, and recently got into doing freeze-dried candy,” Simmons said.
Simmons has been working with the Flea for about four years.
“Other than moving locations, one of the big changes over the years has been adding more vendors and a different variety of vendors. It’s just a community. All the vendors know each other,” Simmons said.
Simmons added that her favorite thing about the Flea is seeing the same customers.
“What I really love about the Flea is getting to have repeat customers, who come to my booth and know me, and know my work, and I’ll do custom stuff for them. It’s really cool to have your artwork on walls and stuff.”
The next Youngstown Flea will be holiday-themed the first weekend of December.
