A couple businesses who took the risk by selling as vendors for the Beach Flea Market gained massive success and flourished from different starting points in their lifespans.
The most recent market featured a couple vendors, one of which has started selling since the market was established, while the other has started selling more recently, about a month and a half now.
Justin Lebow and Juan Salinas had a bunch of clothes they wanted to sell for extra money and started being vendors when the flea market was still known as the 562Flea.
Flea markets have been something that these two have done for a very long time as the vintage clothing has been the main feature and have come at a good quality for solid prices.
Lebow owns a few stores in Riverside at the Flamingo Antique, but mostly does pop up events whenever the opportunity arrives.
“A lot of the clothes sold have come from previous thrift stores and bought items of people, anywhere and everywhere,” says Lebow about the items that were sold for his business.
Lebow was removed from his job for six months up to this point, and he either had to take the risk and start his thrifting business, or look for a job elsewhere, and the workflow has been smooth after taking the leap to become a thrifting vendor.
“Just get out there as much as you can and take out as much as you can; it doesn’t matter what you have, just take it out” said Lebow on any tips for those wanting to start a thrifting business more on a small scale and sell at flea markets like him and his friends do.
With how open the Beach Flea Market was, the opportunity and process to become a vendor was very easy, always publicizing and encouraging for vendors to come out, and that’s when Lebow and Salinas took the chance and have made their success.
The most recent market also featured a newer vendor, whose business has only been established for about a few months up to this point.
Martha and Luis Pena got started selling jewelry, accessories, and more everyday products for the household
Starting by selling to family members, both love to work and meet with others which inspired them to start their business and thrive.
“We did have challenges in the beginning, trying to meet the demand of the public, and also keeping track of inventory, while trying to come up with new ideas,” says Luis Pena on any obstacles they had to face while starting their business.
The Pena’s heard about the Beach Flea Market through social media with how active and collaborative the market has been with the greater Long Beach community.
“Take a chance, you’ll never know if you’re going to have success if you don’t try,” said Luis Pena on any tips for those wanting to start vendoring at the Beach Flea.
The growth of the business was a slow process, but they eventually got there and led to a thriving vendor, even with how recently they started bursting onto the scene.
For people interested in attending future Beach Flea markets: @thebeachflea is the flea market Instagram and vendors mentioned are @sh00tmedown, @thriftdaddyyy_ and @lolas.boutiquee.