NILES Ex-Phar-Mor to become 'upscale flea market'

Developers plan to open the flea market in time for the Christmas shopping season.
THE VINDICATOR, YOUNGSTOWN
By CYNTHIA VINARSKY
VINDICATOR BUSINESS WRITER
NILES -- The former Super Phar-Mor in the Great East Plaza will soon be known as Super Flea Mor, and that's no joke.
Thom Sharp, spokesman for the Cafaro Co., which owns the Eastwood Mall Complex, envisions a year-round "upscale flea market" opening at the site Dec. 7.
"We were looking for a way to generate some excitement, and everybody loves a flea market, from the millionaire on down," he said. "We needed a place where the people could set up and stay."
Sharp said planners decided on the Super Flea Mor name as a way to take advantage of Phar-Mor's name recognition. Phar-Mor closed its store there Sept. 9. "I think it will get people talking," he said.
Besides workers will only have to change four letters to reuse the Super Phar-Mor sign on the store front.
Mid America Events, the promotional company best known as the presenter of the Mahoning Valley Rib Burn-Off, the Canfield Haunted House and other special events, will operate the flea market.
Seeking vendors
Dominic Baragona, Mid America owner, has a one-year lease on the 50,000-square-foot building and is already advertising for vendors.
"I think our timing is very good," Baragona said. "We start off right before the holidays, and the outdoor flea markets are all closed. I also believe the economic conditions are right. People need and appreciate bargains, and we're going to give them to them."
Plans call for using uniform display tables to give the market an organized look, Sharp said, and Baragona wants to include a variety of merchant categories, including antique dealers and sellers of new merchandise.
"We want to pick and choose our exhibitors, but we also want to be flexible," he said. "We want dealers who will have new stuff and fresh stuff all the time."
Mid America produces more than 50 special events, shows and concerts annually in the Mahoning Valley, including events at the Eastwood Expo Center and Cafaro Stadium.
Sharp said Cafaro Co. is getting ready for two other store openings in the Eastwood Mall Complex. Electronics retailer Best Buy and Deals, a discount store chain, are both planning new stores in the former Ames building on Youngstown-Warren Road.
vinarsky@vindy.com