SoOh Spotlight: The City Flea

I've been admiring this event for a couple months now and I am very happy I can support it here on my blog. The City Flea is a venue where enthusiasts and artists can share their work and collections in Cincinnati. The masterminds of this great event (that has happened a couple times this year) are Lindsay and Nick, a couple who were inspired by what they saw in there travels away from their native Cincinnati. I am so glad they came back and took the initiative to bring this reinvention of the typical flea market to us here in Southern Ohio. So, while you are relaxing at home goobling up your delicious food, I hope you take some time to feast your eyes on this wonderful interview with Lindsay from The City Flea.

Tell me a little about your flea market and what it is all about

The City Flea is an urban flea market in Cincinnati which aims to create a space for local artists, crafters, collectors, food artisans, cool small businesses and anyone else you can think of who offers  unique, interesting, aesthetically pleasing products to the market. Our goal in creating the market was to change the meaning of what a "flea market" is into a carefully curated, culturally rich experience for both vendors and patrons.  

How did you come up with the idea of having a flea market and what was the process of getting it started?

The idea to create The City Flea was born after my husband and I moved back to Cincinnati from Brooklyn, New York.  Flea market culture is such a part of life in New York City and we wanted to create that same experience and culture for Cincinnati.  Basically, we brainstormed ways we could make an urban market work, scoped out the cities coolest artists, businesses, collectors, etc and reached out with this new idea.  It was quickly embraced by everyone who heard about it and our first market was launched in June of 2011.

What were some of the most difficult obstacles of organizing a flea market?

The most difficult part of organizing a market of our size is making sure our vendors are taken care of.  The City Flea would not at all be as successful as it has been if our vendors didn't totally rock.  Coordinating, emailing, and making sure everyone is on the same page is the hardest part of our job but honestly, our vendors are great- they don't make it very hard at all.

How much of your flea market is influenced by the Southern Ohio area?

We would not be able to hold a successful market in Cincinnati, if the city wasn't ready to embrace it.  The arts, community love, buying local, handmade culture are huge here and we're just excited that we're able to bring it all together for each market.  

What part of Southern Ohio do you live in and how long have you been here?

Cincinnati.  Nick and I both grew up here but were away for about 6 years- we've lived in Chicago, Los Angeles, Baltimore, and Brooklyn. We've been back now for just over a year.

What are your top 3 favorite places to eat in Southern Ohio?

Wow this is a hard one.  We absolutely love a great local spot to eat. I'd say Nada, Lavomatic and Ollie's Trollley.
 

What are your top 3 favorite go to events in Southern Ohio?

Contemporary Arts Center exhibit opening celebrations, Midpoint Music Festival, and Final Friday Gallery Walks.
 

What are your top 3 favorite places to shop/thrift in Southern Ohio?

Atomic number ten is my favorite thrift / vintage shop and Mica 12/v and High Street are my favorite design / home decor shops.

Anything else you would like to share about yourself, your flea market or Southern Ohio?

We've just been so happy with how much Cincinnati has embraced this new type of event. It says so much about a city and its people when instead of feeling competitiveness, you feel support and enthusiasm.  If you are not from Cincinnati or you live in the bubble of your suburb, you are definitely missing out on how rich and diverse the culture is here. The city pulses and it's only going to keep getting better.  I think I speak for everyone in the urban core when I say the more the merrier. We'd love to see our city continue to progress and thrive and invite skeptics or those who just don't know how much there is to see and do to come in to the city and experience all there is to experience.  

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Thank-you Lindsay for sharing all about The City Flea. Fortunately for all of us, we have one last chance to visit The City Flea at their "Wrapped Up" Holiday Market on Dec 10th!