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Youngstown Flea brings makers together
By Kalea Hall
YOUNGSTOWN
Derrick McDowell saw how flea markets brought communities together and decided he wanted to start one in Youngstown.
“Fleas” are more than just shopping. To McDowell, they are an ecosystem filled with artists, food vendors and business owners with handcrafted items working together for a common goal.
“I am trying to get back to the period of making things with our hands,” McDowell said. “That’s what this market is about.”
The first Youngstown Flea will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 110 Freeman Alley downtown next to the Covelli Centre. So far, 50 vendors will be selling items.
“What differentiates us is the process by which we select vendors and the experience you expect,” McDowell said. “That’s from the music choices to the vendors we select and makers we include.”
McDowell is a former cellphone company manager turned apparel-business owner. He got experience with flea markets as a freelancer selling clothing for another local business.
As the creator behind the apparel brand “We Are A Generation,” he noticed the need for a flea market here to sell his apparel.
The idea to start a local flea came to McDowell in early 2015, and the reality of it began in October. Youngstown’s current revival makes for perfect timing.
“Timing has been very vital to the success of the flea,” McDowell said. “A year ago would have been a bit too soon. A year later and it would have been too late.”
McDowell has a passion for art and artists, which also is why he decided to start a flea market here.
“I also saw the flea as renting someone a space to sell their goods,” he said. “It’s an incubator for your product.”
The list of vendors the flea will bring together include Hubbard-based Vintie Design Co., a local custom destination-coaster company; Youngstown-based So Smooth, a cold-pressed juice and whole-food smoothie company; and Pittsburgh-based Kitschtopia, a vintage fashion company. Yoga is a new addition to the flea.
“Our launch publicly happened Feb. 1,” McDowell said. “The response just blew up. It was just vendor after vendor.”
Youngstown Flea isn’t the only event taking place in downtown Youngstown on Saturday. Youngstown State University Penguin Productions will present Federal Frenzy, a music, food, art and vendors festival from 2 to 11 p.m. at West Federal and Phelps streets.
Barry Manilow also will play at the Covelli Centre on Saturday.
“We have another big night downtown this Saturday,” said Michael McGiffin, coordinator of special events and projects for the city. “It puts a few thousand eyes on us at one time and give us an opportunity to showcase what we can handle. What it does is, it solidifies that downtown Youngstown can be a destination.”
Youngstown Flea will continue to take place each month through October from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 21, June 25, July 23, Aug. 20, Sept. 24 and Oct. 22.
For more information on the Youngstown Flea, go to youngstownflea.com.