Flea market comes from the French marché aux puces, literally meaning “outdoor bazaar”. Sales of goods out of doors was very commonplace in France during the nineteenth century.
Modern Flea Markets
As marketplaces commercialized, many flea markets today also sell baked goods and local farm produce. The Flea Market is open every Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Flea markets rent space to individual vendors to sell anything from vintage furniture to pre-owned video games to customers.
Historical Perspective
The first American flea market opened around 1873 in Texas. Today, there are over 5,000 flea markets operating in the United States. Flea markets can also be called “swap meet” or “antique market.”
By the 1700s, flea infested items became less common as hygiene and cleaning improved. Flea markets served as platforms for pawnbrokers to sell seized goods. Now they are places to find bargains on everything from clothes to furniture to electronics.