Cheers are in order for the college town that keeps giving; Gainesville has been gifted since last year with some fine vendors, and a trip to Depot Avenue to check out Indie Flea is definitely worth it. From drinks to trinkets and stationery to stickers, Indie Flea very well could take up to four hours of your Sunday, but also guarantees you’ll take something home for yourself.
Based in Tampa, Indie Flea accepts vendors to set up shop at the newly renovated Depot Park in Gainesville. It offers visitors a chance to enjoy the new Pop-a-Top Corner Store, local beer, a kid’s playground and, of course, up to 40 vendors selling wares such as vintage clothing, handmade jewelry, crafted decals, embroidered cloths, custom furniture, old knick-knacks and much more.
Among my favorite booths to check out included AXA, Wunderland Tattoo and I Am So Not Cool’s in-person Etsy shop. In addition, some people were showing off their pots full of different succulent arrangements, and Humble Wood Fire even made a food truck appearance. Here is where I’d like to make a special shout out to the weather; so good and pure that I was in the mood to cry about it.
While I visited the flea market with no intention of buying anything (I didn’t even bring my wallet), I ended up spending close to forty dollars. After I laid eyes on a jean jacket vest identical to the ones I have seen sprinkled all over the internet, I had to ask my friends to spot me fifteen dollars.
After becoming increasingly stressed by the fact that so many beautiful things surprised me, I was pretty ready to go home. But… what’s this? A brand new, vintage bralette? In my size? In a modest cream color? That ties around the front? And probably isn’t ideal for sexy time? There I was again, shelling out my friend’s ten dollars because I just wasn’t ready to fall in love.
Chances are that if you visit your local flea market, you will likely find some things for which you will apologize to your bank account later. I’m also pretty sure Indie Flea comes to town every second Sunday in order to make me believe in love prematurely, but that’s just me. A month from now, I know where I will definitely try not to do some major damage with my credit card.
Image Credit: Karla Arboleda