It has been said that “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure”. Well, the treasures are plentiful at the B&A Flea Market in Stuart, Florida. Antiques, fresh produce, jewelry, collectibles, you never know what you will find as you stroll the grounds. Brenda couldn’t help stopping and perusing through these fashion treasures. The B&A Flea Market is open every Saturday and Sunday, and treasure hunters walk out with items they never knew they needed from over 400 vendors at the Treasure Coast’s largest and best flea market.

So, why do they call it a flea market? Well according to the Oxford Dictionary, “Flea Market” comes from the French marché aux puces. This name was originally given to a market in Paris which specialized in shabby second-hand goods of the kind that might contain fleas. You won’t find any of the gnarly gnats here though. The folks at the B&A say they run one of the cleanest flea markets in Florida.

I have always loved getting up early on Saturday morning with a cup of coffee and mapping out the local Garage Sales & Thrift Shops. The thrill of finding that special item or something that I needed or wanted for a fraction of the retail cost is always a thrill. (I know, the simplest things excite me). Flea Markets were often on the stopping lists but many seemed to have the same ole things.

If tables of tube socks, tacky tennis Shoes, scented soaps, and cheap cell phone accessories are not your things, you can pick through the products at Garage Sale Alley where vendors set up items here that they can’t sell in their gated communities. If you are a fan of antiques, oddities and collectibles. You might find it here. The market opens at 8am, so get here early.

Great Food

As lunchtime approaches or if you just need a snack, you can enjoy hot dogs, funnel cakes, ice cream, Italian ice, or kettle corn at the many food vendors. A fresh-squeezed cup of lemonade is a great way to take a break from all that shopping.

Flea Market Flip

Whenever I shop the merchandise, and I see folks hauling out the unimaginable, it reminds me of the show “Flea Market Flip” which shows viewers how a little cash can go a long way with the right amount of creativity. The competitors in “Flea Market Flip” are challenged to refurbish or reinvent items they purchased in the hope of reselling them for a profit. You can shop for antiques, hand-crafted items, and collectibles. The mystery of going to the flea market is that you never know what you are going to be wheeling out and what project will consume you for the next month.

Folks are always on the lookout for an unusual item that could be transformed into an interesting work of art. Can you imagine what this piece would look like filled with stained glass?

The market has several merchants that bring in handcrafted jewelry, retro mirrored aviator sunglasses, local honey, handmade soaps, and whimsical porcelain mermaids that is impossible to live without.

A great place to set up shop

Whether you are a home-based entrepreneur, an established retailer, or just cleaning out the garage for a one-day garage sale, the B&A Flea Market has space for you to sell your goods. Some vendors like Bobbi Fuentes have been selling at flea markets for over 40 years. She says the market needs and welcomes new vendors to keep the market fresh and alive with updated items for sale. You can choose to sell under cover or in the open-air markets.

Permanent Store Space Available

Some vendors like Nautical but Nice have been in their location since 1981. Nautical but Nice is a home goods store that specializes in everything, you guessed it. Nautical. Not sure if the sharks are for sale or not, but it makes for good roadside architecture.

Smaller cute shops are also available like The Pink Bird. An Eclectic Shoppe featuring Upcycled Funky Art & Home Decor. A contemporary mix of Furniture, Lamps & Oddities of Interest.

Bait & Weights await the fishing enthusiast. Get everything you need for fishing without breaking the bank. They sell rods, reels, bait, tackle,  nets, and of course weights!

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Save the Fresh Flowers & Produce for Last

As one of our last stops at the market, we wanted to take home some fresh flowers and local produce. These are some of the most colorful displays in the market. Sniff and squeeze some just-picked fruits and vegetables at their peak. I guarantee you that the prices here are much better than the grocery stores and the fruit is sweeter. Grab yourself some citrus and a vine ripe tomato or two. Another favorite market in Downtown Stuart is the Market on Main Street . Every Sunday morning, the market offers locally made foods, crafts, colorful flowers, fresh baked bread, entertainment, and fresh produce.

The Flea Market is now under new ownership and vast improvements are currently underway including activities for the entire family. The B&A Flea Market is open Saturdays and Sundays from 8 am to 3 pm year-round and is conveniently located at the corner of Indian Street and US-1 in Stuart. Now, how am I going to get all this in the car?

The B&A Flea Market is a perfect addition to your vacation in Stuart, Florida. To see my other ideas, visit my suggestions for “A Perfect Three Day Weekend in Stuart, Florida”.

Another favorite weekend getaway if you love flea markets and antiques is Mount Dora in Central Florida. Antique enthusiasts from across the country descend on Mount Dora as it has many shops in the area. Mount Dora is well known for its small-town southern charm. One of the best flea markets in Florida is Renningers that has two large buildings. One building is dedicated to a Flea Market and the other to Antiques. There are many vendors in the main building but what caught our eye was an area just to the side that looked as if it were an old street. It is called the Street of Shops. The area looks like an old town lined with oak trees. Wood buildings and gravel walkways led us from store to store. Antiques & Charm await in Mount Dora, Florida.

What was your best flea market find? Leave me a comment and let me know.