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Big Flea beckons collectors

Flea markets in Richmond and Chantilly are a collector's delight.

By MARCIA ARMSTRONG

Date published: 3/30/2003

Antiques show up at Richmond venue

Early this month, Ed and Pam King packed up dishes, baskets, pottery and furniture chosen from the stockpile clogging the two-car garage of their Spotsylvania home.

They loaded the bounty into a truck and trailer and headed down Interstate 95. Destination? The Big Flea antique and flea market in Richmond. Purpose? To sell as much stuff as possible.

"We just love it," said Pam King.

Early this month, the Kings were among more than 250 vendors who set up shop at the Big Flea, a two-day event held six times a year at the Richmond Raceway Complex.

Some market vendors used their rented spaces to sell an eclectic hodgepodge of items ranging from sap buckets and dried flowers to Hoosier cabinets and painted end tables. Others specialized in jewelry, clocks, linens, books, furniture, glassware and antique toys.

Big Flea founder Joan Sides began her career in flea-market promotion more than 25 years ago when her husband developed a heart condition. At first, Sides stayed home to take care of him, signing up for welfare to make ends meet. She soon discovered she could make extra cash by buying items at yard sales and reselling them at flea markets.

"I'd stay home with him during the week, and leave on weekends," Sides said.

Soon after, Sides began the Virginia Beach-based D'Amore Promotions and hosted her own flea markets. Her first Big Flea shows were in Richmond and Virginia Beach. She soon branched out to North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

Although a moniker containing the word "flea" might imply a venue full of such items as velvet paintings and off-brand tennis shoes, Sides' staff makes sure Big Flea vendors stock antiques, collectibles and furniture.

"We have glass from the 1800s, silver from Europe and the United States, coins, beer cans, anything collectible," Sides said.

It took the Kings seven hours to set up their display of Blue Ridge pottery, Hummel figurines and retired Longaberger baskets. They arranged dishes and collectible glassware on racks, draped tables with skirts and plugged in lamps for maximum illumination.

Even though their three-booth display was in what seemed like a premium spot at the entrance of the building, Ed King said each space is just as good as any of the others.

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Date published: 3/30/2003