Historic Macon will once again hold its annual Flea Market on Saturday, November 5 from 8AM to 3PM and Sunday, November 6 from 1PM to 5PM at its new location at 357 Oglethorpe Street. The Flea Market is an annual fundraiser for Historic Macon Foundation that features household items for sale.
 
Earlier this year, Historic Macon purchased a warehouse on Oglethorpe Street to house its annual Flea Market. The Flea Market’s new location, conveniently located next to Macon Beer Company and across from Macon Water Authority, will accommodate the vast amount of donations Historic Macon receives each year for the sale. The purchase of the warehouse shows Historic Macon’s commitment to investing in real estate and in downtown Macon as development pushes further into Macon’s industrial district. Volunteers have already donated over 600 hours preparing for this year’s sale and making improvements to the building, including installing new lighting, exterior and interior painting, and cleaning. The warehouse will serve as the Flea Market’s permanent home.
 
“In the six years that I've had the pleasure of being involved with Historic Macon, we are in our third Flea Market location,” said Max Crook, board member of Historic Macon and long-time Flea Market volunteer. “To be able to move into a permanent location will enable us to provide storage for the items that we collect all year. Especially important to HMF, we now know that any improvements made to this facility during the year will belong to Historic Macon and we plan to make continued improvements that will enable us to have bigger and better Flea Markets each and every year. Success of this event and especially the support of our faithful followers contribute tremendously to the accomplishment of Historic Macon's restoration and preservation efforts.”
 
The purchase of the building comes at a time when downtown development is pushing further into Macon’s industrial district. Historic Macon’s new office will be located just a few blocks from the new Flea Market location. Additionally, the Flea Market is close to the Music at Mercer and Lofts at Capricorn project.
 
Historic Macon prides itself on engaging in sustainable practices and the annual Flea Market, the organization’s longest-running tradition, is one of those. For nearly 40 years, Historic Macon has collected donations that volunteers sort and price. Rather than unwanted items being added to the landfill, donations are turned into profits that fund Historic Macon’s mission. This year, Historic Macon has received donations from as far away as South Carolina and Virginia. Many of the volunteers who work on the Flea Market come with knowledge about antiques and have the skills to make small repairs to vintage finds, such as re-caning chairs, assembling antique armoires, cleaning crystal, and polishing silver pieces. Volunteers work year-round to pick up, sort, and price the ever-growing inventory of donated items. The Flea Market is currently accepting donations. All donations are tax deductible. Information on how to donate can be found at http://www.historicmacon.org/flea-market/.
 
The Flea Market’s inventory expands everyday with quality donations. The warehouse in Macon’s industrial district is the perfect place to peruse a variety of household items, including furniture, antiques, children’s toys, holiday décor, gardening gadgets, sporting goods, linens, draperies, kitchen goods, and fine china and silver at unbeatable prices.
 
Serious Flea Market shoppers can purchase tickets to the annual Preview Party to be held on Friday, November 4 from 6PM to 9PM. The party will take place at Macon Beer Company, located next door to the Flea Market, at 345 Oglethorpe Street.  The party is open to both non-members and members of Historic Macon. Tickets include a light supper with wine and brews by Macon Company Beer Company, and most importantly, the chance to shop before the doors open to the public! Tickets for Historic Macon members are $20 and tickets for non-members are $25. To purchase tickets, visit Historic Macon’s website at www.historicmacon.org.
 
All proceeds from the Flea Market benefit Historic Macon Foundation. In fact, 93¢ of every dollar spent at the Flea Market goes directly back to Historic Macon’s mission of revitalizing our community by preserving architecture and sharing history.