10 Reasons to Check Out the Red Barn Flea Market

If you're looking for a fun destination that all the family will enjoy, the Red Barn Flea Market makes a great option. Boasting over 600 flea stalls and shops, the family-owned market has been keeping bargain hunters in cut-price clothes, furniture, electronics, household items, and more besides since the 1980s. Whether you're looking for a vintage dress from the '30s, a spare tire for the car, some new toys for the kids, or a new curling iron, there's a very good chance you'll find it here. Bargain buys aren't the only reason to visit either - with seasonal events, a farmers market, live music, and lots of tempting food stalls, it's the perfect place to while away an afternoon. If you're still not convinced, check out these 10 reasons to visit the Red Barn Flea Market.

1. It's the perfect place to pick up a bargain

As the Crazy Tourist points out, the Red Barn Flea Market has over 600 booths and shops, making it the perfect place to grab a bargain. Whether you're searching for a new winter jacket, some toys for the kids, a few parts for the car, or one of a thousand other things, there's a very good chance that someone, somewhere is selling it. Even better, it's likely to be at a price that suits even the tightest of budgets.

2. There's an amazing food market

Red Barn Flea Market is about a lot more than discounted furniture and quirky finds. Adjoining the market is a 145,00 square foot farmers market, selling the best local produce from the surrounding area together with a good selection of imported goods, plants, flowers, and handicrafts. Along with providing all your fruit and veggies at an awesome price, the market is also a great place to chat with local producers and learn a little more about where your food comes from.

3. It's a great money-making opportunity

If you're not careful, you can end up spending a lot of money at flea markets. The prices may be small, but with such a huge assortment of goods to tempt you, it's easy to let your heart run away with your wallet. If you'd rather come home with more money than you left with, you might want to think about becoming a seller. It's easier than organizing your own garage sale, you're guaranteed a higher footfall, and the money-making opportunities are enormous. Next time you need to clear out your attic, forget about turning your yard into a store and pitch up at one of the Red Barn's Garage Sale Weekends instead.

4. There's always something going on

For some people, Red Barn Flea Market is an event in itself, but if you're looking for even more of a reason to head out, the regular seasonal events held throughout the year should convince you. Every Friday and Saturday, the Main Food Court welcomes live music from local artists. Summer is the season for Garage Sale Weekends, fall plays host to the Fall Pumpkin Patch and Costume Day, and winter is the time for Santa’s Visit and Winter Travel Show.

6. It's heaven for foodies

If browsing through thousands of stalls has given you an appetite, you're in luck. The Red Barn Flea Market may be best-known for its great deals on second-hand goods, but this is a place that's about more than just bargain finds. Whatever you're craving, there's likely to be a food stall to match. On a hot day, I Scream For Ice Scream is the place to head for a cooling snow cone. If you're in the mood for something more warming, Maw’s Place does a great line in polish sausage and cheese fries. The Frosty Keg is the place for a glass of beer or wine, while the award-winning Mexican cuisine at Tio Carlos is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

7. It's ideal for lazy weekends

If you're struggling to come up with new ways to fill your weekend, the Red Barn Flea Market could be just what you're looking for. Pop by Saturday or Sunday between 9 am and 4 pm, and you'll have hours of shopping heaven to look forward to. If you'd rather a mid-week treat, the market is also open Tuesday to Friday between the same hours - just be aware that you'll only be able to visit the permanent storefronts at the Plaza between Tuesday and Thursday, as the rest of the market will be closed.

8. There's always something new to discover

If you want to make your visit to the Red Barn Flea market a one-time thing, you can. But you'll be missing out. While the inventory in the permanent stores in the Plaza area of the market tends to be fairly consistent, the Garage Sale booths are ever-changing. Some vendors like to have a big clear out once or twice a year, others prefer to resell whatever treasures they've managed to find that week. Today you might find some cut-price retro toys for the kids, tomorrow you might find a new collection of pots and pans for the kitchen. The more often you visit, the more treasures you'll uncover.

9. You'll be supporting a family run business

If you're sick of putting your money in the hands of big, faceless organizations, the Red Barn Flea Market will come as a breath of fresh air. According to its official website, it's been owned and run by the same family since 1981, which makes it pretty unique among flea markets. As well as helping support the market, you'll also be helping out the various local businesses that trade there, making it a great way to support your local community. There's also some great art to check out from local artists - keep your eyes peeled for the ten murals scattered around the venue.

10. It's a good way to exercise

If you can't face the thought of the gym but still want to fit some exercise into your day, the Red Barn Flea Market is ideal. It may sound like a strange way of getting your daily steps in, but as optimaonerealty.com points out, walking up and down the aisles is a great way to burn off the calories from all those good eats you'll be enjoying at the food stalls.