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Mari Warwick has been waiting for four months to be able to put her car in the garage.
“Our garage is full of boxes,” said Mrs. Warwick, a Ramstein Elementary School multiage teacher, who recently moved from a big house to a smaller one. “I’ve been ready and waiting for the Indoor Flea Markets to start again so I can sell the stuff in those boxes.”
Her wait is almost over. The U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern’s Indoor Flea Market season starts again March 21 at the Special Events Center, Bldg. 237 on Rhine Ordnance Barracks. Hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Before you go out and spend money on 220-volt items, I recommend you check out the flea market first,” said Steve Selvey, the garrison’s Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation manager, who administers the Indoor Flea Markets. “It’s a great opportunity to purchase 220-volt items at a good price and to sell them.”
This is the third season that the garrison’s Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation Directorate has provided these Indoor Flea Markets as a customer service for the community. The garrison’s flea market season runs from March to October.
“Personnel PCSing out of the community have this opportunity to sell their items in a nice indoor environment out of the weather,” Mr. Selvey said.
He cited other conveniences for sellers and buyers at the Indoor Flea Markets, such as a vendor who sells food and drinks and bathrooms at the facility that are heated.
“I like that it’s warm, and I don’t have to worry about the weather,” said Mrs. Warwick, who has been a seller twice at the flea markets, making more than $700. “And, I really like how you are able to display your items on nice big tables.”
She also mentioned that she liked that she didn’t have to set up her own tables and the ease of unloading her “treasures.”
“Our staff sets up tables in advance so all sellers have to do is unload their cars at the entrance to the facility and get ready to sell,” Mr. Selvey said. “We have some large doors that are opened, allowing plenty of room to bring items in and out of the building.”
He added that sellers are able to unload their cars close to the entrance and then park their cars in the regular lot after they’ve unloaded.
Hours are from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Doors for sellers open at 6:30 a.m. to give them time to display their items for sale.
Mr. Selvey recommends sellers show up at least 30 minutes prior to the doors opening for buyers – promptly at 8 a.m.
“We’ll take reservations up to the day prior and even walk-ins the day of,” said Mr. Selvey, who added that there is not a max number of sellers for these flea markets. “We have plenty of tables on hand and display space in the facility, so numbers are not a problem.”
As an experienced seller, Mrs. Warwick offered some helpful tips.
“Bring plenty of plastic bags, and make sure to have U.S. and euro change on hand,” she said.
These flea markets are open to ID cardholders and their authorized guests.
Prospective sellers can make reservations by calling Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation at 493-4117 or 0631-3406-4117. Cost is $25 for two tables and a bench.
