Every other Sunday, The Beach Flea, a now monthly iconic event, welcomes community, style, and expression at Long Beach City College’s Trade Technology and Community Learning campus, which has grown since its start in 2023.
A local market with free entry serves as an easily accessible social hub for LBCC students. At a glance, crowds notice the upbeat beachy music and the flea market’s vibrant colors, with one flea market manager, Nicolas Villegas, noting its increased exposure.
“It started off a little slow, but you know it started picking up a little by little, people started like, giving it a chance,” said Villegas.
LBCC student and facilities manager, Nicolas Villegas of The Beach Flea Market, at LBCC’s Trade Technology and Community Learning campus on Sunday, March 10, answering a question from a guest. Villegas started working in the market in 2023. (Keith Lewis)
With growing recognition and publicity, more vendors from outside of Long Beach itself began seeing The Beach Flea as a site to expand their businesses, grow their communities and all in all be a part of a thriving local marketplace.
As more crowds attended the flea market, more vendors became a staple of its diversity and contributed to the atmosphere that draws in students, locals, and visitors.
One vendor, Shannyn Everett, whose love for plants grew into a hands-on succulent bar where attendees are able to purchase and build their own plants, was in attendance at the flea. Her booth was filled with the smell of fresh soil and colorful handmade pots.
“I like plants a lot and I really like creating, so I put the two together and made this,” said Everett.
The Beach Flea is one of many stops Everett makes with her on-the-go succulent bar, she appreciated the market’s diversity.
“A large array of things, like honestly like you get a little bit of everything when you come here. It’s not just clothes, it’s not just handmade stuff,” said Everett.
Small business Plantastic Vibes saw lots of business at The Beach Flea Market on March 10 at LBCC’s Trade Technology and Community Learning campus. The booth features low-maintenance plants like succulents and pots that were available to decorate and take home for only $15. (Keith Lewis)
A space where creativity flows also encourages attendees and vendors to showcase and celebrate their identities through fashion, some use it as a tool to express their cultural style and their roots while also building a community around their designs.
Karenina Covarrubias and Koddy Ortega are co-founders and romantic partners who run their clothing brand, Accepting Something New, a brand that represents their culture, beliefs, and story.
Accepting Something New clothing brand’s featured artist and fashion designer, Karenina Covarrubias, left, and co-designer Koddy Ortega, right, explain the process from creating art and then transferring that art to t-shirts and hoodies at The Beach Flea Market on Sunday, March 10. The girlfriend and boyfriend duo also have a variety of colors of shirts to choose from. (Keith Lewis)
By attending The Beach Flea, the couple can connect with and build a community that shares their culture, one of their drops, the couple named “Hasta En La Muerte, Hay Amor” to represent love still being adamant even after death.
“We had people that were opening up to us that were getting emotional and sharing their stories, and how they connect to the phrase itself,” Ortega said.
With clothing pieces whose designs are inspired by traditions and stories, attendees are able to see their own experiences reflected in each piece.
“La leyenda de los volcanes is one of the most romantic and tragic heartbreak stories in Mexican, or in Aztec culture and we just completely fell in love with that message as well,” Ortega said.
The designs are collaborative art pieces between the pair that allow them to be able to connect with their community and leave an impact on their buyers and browsers at the flea market.
“The reason why we haven’t done it, I guess, is because of that. We don’t feel the connection. It’s so much easier for us to connect in person and I think that’s why flea markets or vendor markets help us so much to be able to tell our story.” Covarrubias said.
“The Beach Flea” welcomes individuality from everyone, vendor or attendee. With a space where people can interact makes each booth feel relatable and meaningful.
This is reflected in neighboring booths where one beachy seasonal booth focuses on confidence, bikinis, and expression.
Returning vendor for her first flea of the season and seventh overall, Serena Rodarte’s booth emits a bright beachy vibe. Rodarte uses her booth to encourage confidence and expression among her customers.
Rini’s Bikini’s were on display and available for purchase at The Beach Flea Market on Sunday, March 10, held at LBCC’s main parking lot area. Bikinis were sold for $15 each or two for $20. (Keith Lewis)
“It’s the best flea market for sure, and I’m not just saying that because we’re here,” Rodarte said.
As people browse pieces, Rodarte encourages customers to embrace confidence and express themselves openly.
Beyond the sales and displays, the flea market makes progress through interactions between vendors and visitors, creating a social hub that thrives on self-expression.
The Beach Flea will come around again on Sunday, March 29th, offering a vibrant social space where creativity, community and culture come together.
You must be logged in to post a comment.