Today we are going to a parking lot flea market under the flight path of O'Hare Airport on the northwest side of Chicago.
Many of you have flown in here never knowing what's going on below you on a Sunday morning.
Can you tell from the photo below that the sun isn't up yet? We arrived at about 4 am. last Sunday.
Bikes of all kinds, ages, and conditions are one of the most commonly sold things at this market. I don't exactly know how well they sell. It isn't something I'm interested in personally.
This is more like it. This vendor had recently cleaned out several local estates and had many interesting things to offer.
In this pile there are many things of local Chicago interest. I bought some unusual items from him to sell through my soon to come online business.
The booth below would be considered well-displayed at this market.
Most of them look more like this...or...
even like this. Right on the ground. In fact, this is the most common display technique.
These two items were the most unusual I saw on Sunday. They are PRISON TELEVISIONS!
They are see-through so contraband can't be hidden inside them by prisoners. They are purchased by the prisoners and can be taken home upon release. Interesting home accessory, huh?
One of the things I really enjoy about flea market shopping is talking to the people I meet.. like the couple selling the televisions who assured me that the husband had NOT gotten these while in prison.
Good to know.
Near the end of the morning. Ever helpful husband taking a load of purchase back to the car...while I finish up.
Just before leaving I bought this weird antenna made in Chicago. Why is this guy holding it? He followed me back to my car because he had to have it for his 1940's vintage TV!! Money changed hands. He was happy and I was happy.
We spent our profits at the Lowes on our way home on supplies to finish other projects to sell next weekend.
wow what an interesting event, I love ones like that where you seriously do not know what you are gonna find, don't you? love that the guy got his fix for his 40's tv, great story
ReplyDeleteSarah
Thanks for all the pics. Who knew all that was going on as I was taking off.... I sure could tag along with you, you know all the good spots!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun market filled with all kinds of stuff!
ReplyDeleteManuela
I wish I had known about that!
ReplyDeletei'm afraid to ask what time you had to wake up that morning. ugh. but worth it. :)
ReplyDeletei plan to make my first trek to brimfield this month. eeeps!
xo
Agh! That looks like so much fun! Those tvs remind me of those see through phones from the 80's...I never had one, but always wanted one! Can't wait to see what your store will have available!
ReplyDeleteI've never been to that flea but just went to the Kane county flea- Kind of the same thing.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's fun when the things are messy and you have to rumble through them. Like a treasure hunt!
That T.V. would be neat in a boys room!
♥ check out my giveaway ♥
Those TVs would be cool in a modernish room. They don't have flea markets like that here. I still dream of the days spent at the Rose Bowl flea market in Pasadena, Ca.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun place to shop!
ReplyDeleteamazing!!! i want to go next time!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tour. Would like to have shopped there.
ReplyDeleteGlenda
Looks like a fun shopping experience.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place to prowl. Looks like great fun and such treasures.
ReplyDeleteHappy Outdoor Wednesday.
~Maryrose
Ooh I saw several items I would have grabbed. What fun. I love flea markets, but here in Phoenix, it gets so hot, so soon, it is hardly worth the trip when the weather gets hot. On the blacktop it just gets to HOT. Thanks for the tour. I have signed up to Follow your BLOG. I can't wait for the next trip. Please pop over and say hi. I would love to have you follow my BLOG as well. Country Hugs, Sherry
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! I love that the man bought your antenna you bought for a profit! LOL! I would love to have been there browsing with you.
ReplyDeleteHappy Outdoor Wednesday!
XO,
Sheila :-)
You are one dedicated shopper to be up with the chickens! Glad you found some goodies at this market. Still trying to find one here in SW Ohio that that has decent vendors who don't sell junk. Have a good week!
ReplyDelete:-) Sue
Very interesting. My husband would have loved seeing all of the technical "stuff".
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a good day!
Becky K.
Hospitality Lane
Like many talents in life, I am sure and certain that people who attend sales such as this are wonderful conversationalists and negotiators!
ReplyDelete:) i would kill to have someone like you come with me the next time i take on an adventure like this.
TTFN~~Claudia ♥
Treasure hunting! Sounds like a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteHi Joan,
ReplyDeleteI would call this a very cool post, very interesting and most of all lots of Fun. Thank you for sharing.
Sue
A flea market near O'Hare? How do I know so little about my hood?
ReplyDeleteI too had no idea that there is a flea market near O'Hare airport. Jeepers and you made $$$ there with the purchasing the antenna. Nice job on Outdoor Wednesday post.
ReplyDeleteJoyce M
Fun fleamarket! I saw a couple of things I would like to have had a closer look at! (I can shop even when there is no shopping - is that pathetic?) Thanks for the fun treat!
ReplyDeleteHappy Outdoor Wednesday!
Robin@Miscellaneous Thoughts
What fun, you know I really prefer flea markets like that one. I just love to dig dig dig and uncover some lost little treasure. ;) Wow, prison TV's very weird but yet interesting too. lol!
ReplyDelete♥ Teresa
My favotie kind of flea. The hunt is half the fund. Thanks for taking us along. And we didn't even have to get up early. Drop by my blog if you get a chance. Stella
ReplyDeleteWhat a great flea market! I love "virtually" thrifting and junkin' with you! Those prison TV's are cool!
ReplyDeletewhat an interesting event! I love it!
ReplyDeletexoxo
The prison TV is pretty unique! And that people can keep them (as a souvenir!)...
ReplyDeleteFlea markets are a lot of fun, you can meet some very interesting people.
ReplyDeleteJoan, you always have something interesting to show us. I'm glad your day was a success. Here's to more happy hunting :-). Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeletewho doesn't love flea marts, they are the best!!!
ReplyDeletePrison televisions... those two words just look funny together. We do meet such characters at flea markets, don't we? I'm adding your blog to my Daily Dose:-)
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Oh, flea marketing on Wednesday, what a wonderful thing. These are the kind of flea markets I love, the one down the street from me needs to be renamed a resellers market. If I see one more pair of tube socks, I swear I'll scream!
ReplyDeleteYet another thing to add to my Reasons To Go To Chicago list.
Thanks for the visit to the flea market! I miss going to those, not many in my area. That antenna is amazing, looks alien-ish!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting finds! Looks like a place I would love to spend some time in!!
ReplyDeleteI love to go to flea markets as well for a good treasurehunt.
ReplyDeleteHave a great outdoor wednesday.
Annemieke
Oh what I could do with those watch parts...How cool.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great flea market~something for everyone!! Love it. And I am right around the corner!! Maybe i can visit soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tour. Happy OW!
xoxo
Jane