The Berkeley Flea Market is officially back and legal again

"Attendance had fallen off. The number of weekly vendors had declined from about 200 a decade ago to 20 or 30. And the market's nonprofit operator, Community Services United (CSU), was struggling to keep it afloat as it lost up to $10,000 a month. But the flea market's remaining vendors weren't ready to bid goodbye. And even after CSU gave up its lease of the Ashby BART parking lot in late June, the vendors kept showing up every Saturday and Sunday."

"It might not have been strictly legal, but BART made no move to stop them as the vendors worked with CSU to find a new working model for the market. The vendors said they wanted a more hands-on operations role, with some attributing the market's struggles to poor communication and a lack of food, music and publicity to attract crowds, placing particular blame on General Manager Yasin Khan."

"And last month, CSU reached an agreement with BART that solidifies the Berkeley Flea Market's revival. The two-year deal allows the flea market to remain on the BART parking lot until Aug. 30, 2027. And CSU is now charged a monthly fee of $750 a significant decrease from the $1,273 CSU paid monthly in the previous lease terminated in June."

About 30 vendors were present at the Berkeley Flea Market on Sept. 13. The market operated in South Berkeley since the 1970s and experienced steep declines in attendance and vendor numbers, dropping from about 200 weekly vendors a decade ago to 20–30. Community Services United (CSU) struggled financially, losing up to $10,000 a month and gave up its Ashby BART parking lot lease in late June. Vendors continued to show up weekly, sought a more hands-on role, and criticized poor communication, lack of food, music and publicity. CSU reached a two-year agreement with BART through Aug. 30, 2027, with a reduced monthly fee of $750, and Artrenia Harris became CSU president to focus on revitalization and transparency.

Read at www.berkeleyside.org