The beats of live music, aromas of food trucks and fresh produce wafted between vendors’ booths at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds Flea Market on a recent Thursday morning, where families and individuals roamed the aisles searching for a good deal.
Roosevelt Terry, 63, and Mignon Terry, 38, are regular vendors who say their efforts in selling at the flea market has been worth it.
“From the time when we started — and we’re eight months into it — it’s a well investment,” Mignon Terry said. “I’ll be honest, that’s why we’re still here.”
The couple together sell a variety of products under the name “Le’ Mignon’s,” including hats, colognes, toys and shoes. The set up shop at several flea markets around Stockton, proudly calling it a “full-time gig.”
Every week, thousands of locals visit the flea market in search of bargains, food and a welcoming culture, according to the market owner Carlos De La Torre.
He launched the flea market back in 1996 with his wife, Lena De La Torre, when then-fairgrounds CEO Forrest White gave De La Torre the greenlight to open for one day a week on Thursdays. Now, the flea market runs three days a week.
Native to Stockton, De La Torre grew up in a neighborhood right around the corner from the fairgrounds in south Stockton and grew familiar with flea markets, frequently going with his family.
“When I grew up, my dad took me to all the flea markets,” he said. “And when I used to come here as a kid, it was cool. It was a cool thing to do.”
De La Torre’s nephew Ruben Chaves, who also grew up around the area, now manages the market, while Lena shares the same responsibilities with Carlos.
But keeping the market open has not always been any easy task.
Initially, the market made slow headway, receiving only about 25-30 vendors per week, but slowly, De La Torre and his family started to see progress.
Then, De La Torre said the Stockton Open Air Mall and Flea Market hit the scene. Shortly after, the fairgrounds flea market closed.
“It killed all the flea markets,” De La Torre said.
Later on, De La Torre convinced White to re-open the fairgrounds flea market one day a week, where once growth proved gradual.
“It took a while, but once it sparked, it started picking up and started picking up,” he said, adding they started off with $5 vendor spaces. Those same spaces are now $20 on Mondays.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, De La Torre said the flea market had to close once more due to restrictions.
“We were the last one to open up because we’re on state property,” De La Torre said of the market’s reopening.
But the Stockton staple has continued to persevere. Currently, the fairgrounds stable has been known to bring in up to 10,000 visitors on Thanksgiving, the market’s biggest day of the year, according to De La Torre.
About 250 vendors also rent a space to sell their wares on Thursdays, the flea market’s busiest day, De La Torre said.
Due to what they describe as the low stakes of the flea market, Roosevelt Terry and Mignon Terry say they can experiment with different products, allowing them to strategically swap out items on any day with minimal risk.
“You know what the first rule of selling is? You find out what the market wants,” Roosevelt Terry said.
Beyond profits, the two sellers say the flea market’s culture keeps them engaged, even when that means communication isn’t straightforward.
“Even though you may not speak the same language, verbally, your body language speaks to whether you’re welcoming,” Mignon terry said Thursday as shoppers walked by.
The pair also share their appreciation for the flea market staff, describing them as treating everyone fairly.
“If you need help with something they’re gonna help you,” Mignon Terry said.
For fellow vendor Deandre Stewart, the flea market is a way to make ends meet while job-searching.
“I’ll come until I’m able to find me another job that’s steady,” Stewart said while sitting behind a table where he sells air fresheners and clothes. “I’m a warehouse worker, I like working in warehouses.”
The fairgrounds flea market treats him well, said Stewart, as someone who is planning to sell products on the side temporarily.
De La Torre described the flea market as a place for everyone.
“We’ve got a very diverse crowd,” he said. “We got everything out here.”
The San Joaquin County Fairgrounds Flea Market is open to the public Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parking and admission are free.