San Jose Flea Market facts for kids
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Entrance to the market from the Berryessa BART station (top) and aerial image of the market (bottom).
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| Coordinates | 37°22′09″N 121°52′44″W / 37.36922°N 121.8789°W |
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| Address | 1590 Berryessa Rd San Jose, CA 95133 |
| Opening date | March 1960 |
| Total retail floor area | 120 acres (49 ha) |
| Parking | onsite |
| Public transit access | VTA: 61, 70, 77, 500, 523 BART: Berryessa |
The San Jose Flea Market is a huge outdoor market located in the Berryessa area of San Jose, California. It's a lively place where people can find all sorts of interesting items, from fresh fruits to unique treasures. It's like a giant outdoor shopping adventure!
Contents
History of the Market
The San Jose Flea Market first opened its doors in March 1960. It was originally known as the Berryessa Flea Market. Three people named George Bumb, Lawrence Headrick, and Joe Kokes started it. Later, George Bumb's sons, Brian Bumb Sr., George Bumb Jr., and Timothy Bumb, helped run the market.
A Fire at the Market
On November 29, 2006, a fire broke out at the San Jose Flea Market. It affected 24 stands in an area called Produce Row. Firefighters quickly arrived and put out the flames. Even though the fire was stopped, many items were damaged. The market owners worked to help the vendors who were affected by offering them free or cheaper rent.
Changes and New Plans
Over the years, there have been plans to change the land around the flea market. In 2007, the San Jose City Council approved a plan to build homes on some of the market's property. At that time, the Bumb family, who owned the market, did not have immediate plans to start building.
More recently, in January 2019, the San Jose City Council discussed new ideas for the land. These plans included building homes, shops, parks, and even a future medical building. A big part of this area used to be parking for the flea market. Now, a large shopping center with stores like Safeway and CVS Pharmacy has opened nearby. The main part of the flea market, where the shops and stands are, is planned for commercial buildings in the future.
What You Can Find and Do
The San Jose Flea Market is huge, with miles of aisles. It has space for over 2,000 vendors to sell many different things. In 1987, the market said it had 2,400 vendors and more than 4 million visitors each year! It's a very important place for many local families to earn money.
You can find almost anything at the market, including:
- Jewelry
- Furniture
- Clothes
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Shoes
- Collectibles and toys
- Books
- Car parts and stereo equipment
- Artwork
- Tools
- Toiletries and cosmetics
- Cookware
Food and Fun
The Flea Market also has many restaurants that serve both American and Mexican food. You can also find food carts selling snacks like churros and drinks. One of the biggest parts of the market is its Farmers Market. It stretches a long way and sells fresh fruits and vegetables from California farms.
Every weekend, the Flea Market offers lots of entertainment. There are two stages, and one often features a Mexican Mariachi band playing music. For kids, there's a vintage carousel, an arcade, three playgrounds, and carnival rides. It's a place where the whole family can have fun!
Getting There
The San Jose Flea Market is divided into two main areas by Berryessa Road. The northern area used to be parking but has been redeveloped. The southern area still has the main market and a smaller parking lot.
In June 2020, the Berryessa/North San José station opened. This train station is part of BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), which connects many parts of the San Francisco Bay Area. This makes it easy for people to visit the flea market using public transportation.
See also
In Spanish: Mercado al aire libre de San José para niños
