#berkeley-flea-market

#berkeley-flea-market

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.

Christopher Smith, a drummer at the market, has taken the lead in efforts to keep the Berkeley Flea Market operational, with vendors committing to continue selling every weekend.

Davis reflected on the importance of the Berkeley Flea Market, saying, "It became a regular weekend destination for me - a place to buy quality clothing, meet new people."