With the rise of social media came the rise of something unexpected — prices for items sold second hand. Paying the same price tag as influencers filling their feeds with designer items, are those showing off their vintage finds from flea and thrift markets.
One of the most popular flea markets is the self-proclaimed “Granddaddy of them all,” The Rose Bowl Flea Market. The Rose Bowl, known as “an outdoor mega event” has been held for over 50 years, devoutly taking place on the second Sunday of every month independent of the weather.
Flea markets, consignment shops, and thrifting have become almost as popular on social media as luxury goods. And, while this would seem like a good thing for vendors and the communities that originally enjoyed these “luxuries,” as the popularity of these items rises, so do their prices.
“I think the Rose Bowl Flea Market is probably what most people think of when they imagine your typical LA flea market,” said Los Angeles social media blogger Sara Faye, “One lap can take up your whole morning, I think going is a rite-of-passage for any thrift junkie.”
However, many like Faye have noticed the prices of items at the Rose Bowl start to rise in the past few years as the popularity of the event does on social media.
“Some vintage pieces are worth the price, but not all,” said Faye, “because thrifting and secondhand culture have become so popular, now everything considered ‘vintage’ has a high price tag.”
While flea markets may not be on the pricier side, they would have once been some of the cheapest items available.
Thrift stores, consignment shops, and flea markets have been around since the start of the 20th century. But, they were typically associated with impoverished communities.
“You used to not tell people if you bought your things at a thrift store or a swap meet, now everybody wants to know and everybody wants to come here, ” said Nancy, a vendor for over 20 years at The Rose Bowl Flea.
Flea markets were once meant to serve as a place where people could buy things they couldn’t typically afford because the items were now old. In the case of the original Paris flea markets, the items sold literally speaking had fleas or other parasites.
While social media may make items at these flea markets less accessible to the communities they were created for, they also help lots of small businesses gain publicity. The hype around the Rose Bowl Flea Market allows those small vendors who rely on social media to help sell their merchandise to help promote their business to people outside their social circle.
Genesis Smith of the handmade jewelry company Jewelzzz first started her business on social media with the help of her friends and family Now finally starting to gain some traction, Smith wants to open up a pop-up shop at the Rose Bowl flea market to help get her company name out to people outside their social circle.
“I’ve never done a pop-up shop before, but I thought that I would be able to expand more and get my name out there more if I did one,” said Genesis, “I heard they can do a lot to help you.”
While the publicity surrounding the Rose Bowl Flea Market on social media may be good for small vendors and creators like Destiny to help get their company name out, it will likely also lead to more consumers attending for reasons other than reasonable prices.
“A Long time ago, it was about making your money stretch,” said Nancy, “ now it’s about finding that thing that you can’t just pick up anywhere.”
As supply and demand dictate, the more consumers that begin to find themselves drawn to secondhand culture, the higher prices will get. With an admission fee ranging from $9 to $20 for entry, the once haven for the impoverished now serves as a haven for vintage curators and social media influencers.
“I used to go to thrift stores and flea markets all the time in high school, back then, it felt like a really magical place where I could find a really rare one-of-a-kind item,” said Sara Faye, “plus, being broke made thrifting one of your only options if you wanted to dress in style.”
While still holding plenty of rare one-of-a-kind items, flea markets like The Rose Bowl are no longer the bargain market they once were.
“It was my way of survival and one of the only ways I could really express myself when I was younger,” said Sara Faye, “I still love thrifting, but I am disappointed that now it seems less accessible.”
