The second week of our new market basically doubled the number of vendors, both on the Plaza and in the tailgate areas.  Traffic management was not quite as smooth as it had been first time out........but the NEW HOURS - 9-3 make a lot more sense both in escaping the late afternoon heat and abiding by the traditional flea market timing patters.

We saw vendors from Albuquerque, an even broader range of stuff for sale than the opening weekend and the arrival of our first food vendor, Lucky Bean Cafe from Rancho Viejo.  Joan's chocolate chip cookies are sinfully good and it was a joy to have hot coffee at 8 am.

We also had our first produce vendor, Greg Nussbaum of Camino de Paz School and Farm, with fantastic greens and Beneficial Farms, was there promoting Community Supported Agriculture.  After conversations with Greg, we've set aside an area designated for produce and expect even more local growers this coming market, July 26.  Low cost local produce is destined to be an important part of the market.

Our Third week, even more vendors are committed, with nearly 50 reservations on the Plaza and tailgaters we ended up with 71 vendors including our outstanding Lucky Bean Cafe from Rancho Viejo - now serving NOT JUST cookies (for me) but sandwiches and salads in addition to their outstanding pizza and burritos.

It seemed almost impossible at 6 am on August 2 that we were 4 weeks into our new venture.....Sarah and I split duties.  She handled Plaza set up - helped by Lee Ann, and I did traffic and tail-gate set up, helped by Sierra.  Our little market, which began with a handful of vendors is now up to more than 80....and I had only one feasible tail-gate space left by 8:30 AM.  AND we'd doubled the staff size in four weeks - from two to FOUR!

Sales were good-to-great, with terrific tail gaters like Dana Weldon, Mike Eros, and Santiago joined by new-comers like Ric and Marie-France Hajovsky, and new Plaza vendors including Jeff Hengesbaugh, with THREE spaces, and George Fine - who needs a tent!  It was also terrific to have Assistance Dogs of the West represented by executive director Carolyn Clark Beedle and the ADW Board Chair Kitty Ault. 

Our very first Santa Fe Traditional Flea Market was more fun that I could ever imagine it would be.  Sarah, Mikki and I worried about the details - worried that no one would come to vend and no one would come to buy......that it would rain - or the wind would blow 40 miles an hour....that load in would be a trainwreck.....you name it - we worried about it.

And all that worry worked.  Our planning was more than needed - but our vendors were great and acted like the pro's they are. 

Lots of folks saw and heard our ads, and got the emails vendors sent and we had a good crowd through most of the day.  And when we say GOOD - we mean they looked at everything.....and bought a lot. 

It was hot and the free-ice cream was a hit. 

We learned that we opened to late and were trying to stay open to late.....but NOBODY complained.....they just suggested a better way.  And that's what we'll do.  Hours are now 9 to 3 - its my guess that some folks will leave at 2, and if there are buyers, others will hang on longer......but we're relaxed about it.

I could tell you how much fun it was, but instead - I'll quote from a couple emails that were in my basket by Monday.

From Larry Willete and Rick Wells:

"We just wanted to say thanks again for a great opening weekend "flea" experience.  You've done a great job and the market is sure to take off.  We were at a party later in the afternoon yesterday (don't know we managed to stumble in there but we did), and there were people there who had been to the market raving about it to their friends!  It's a HIT!"

And from Gordon Micunis and Jay Cobrin:
"It took us back to "the good old days" of funky, junky, trash and treasures, fun, sun and conversation of the old Flea years ago."

And from Judy Scaggs Benson - on my facebook page (She's Bill Manns wife):
"We had such a great time at the flea. So many positive comments from vendors and visitors. I can see a lot of dreams coming true here! Thanks for all your efforts. We can not imagine how much work this must have been. We are so proud to have been there the "first" time. Can't thank you enough, and I know I speak for a lot of people.  oxoxoxoxox"

It was a great thing to see my friend Bill Manns in FOUR booths - and Maya Jones and James Aumell and Robert Morris and Jewels and Wilber Norman and Steve Maras and David Fishbein and Mike Bradford all lined up on Antiques Way on the Plaza was enough to make me forgive Jan Brooks and Lane Coulter for shifting their premier appearance to a later date.

We made great new friends on the Plaza too - Vicki Tune,  Janice St. Marie, Ron Leoard, Sandra Wilson and Larry Willitte all said they had a good time and better sales. The Myrrh Bearers drove up from Albuquerque - and got lost - but they found us and set up and we hope they can join the market.

In the tailgate areas - which are almost on the Plaza itself - Dan and Cherokee of Way Out West had a great set up - as did Michael Eros....and it was clear that experienced tailgaters like Susan Kennedy and Ann McGrath were in their element - with plenty of room to work and NO dust.

Judy Perlman stayed busy through the market and so did Rose Baca, who specialized in some outstanding climate friendly household products from Shaklee and there was a drive-on, Mr. Shaffer who had fantastic tools and several folks who appeared with a wide array of fascinating stuff.

Now - it's a blog - so if you read it and have a thought or suggestion or even complaint -fire away.  We'd LOVE to hear from you.