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Vendor Jesse Spaar in his space at the New Brunswick Indoor Flea Market in Torrington.
Photo: John Torsiello /Vendor Jesse Spaar in his space at the New Brunswick Indoor Flea Market in Torrington.
Vendor Jesse Spaar in his space at the New Brunswick Indoor Flea Market in Torrington.
Vendor Jesse Spaar in his space at the New Brunswick Indoor Flea Market in Torrington.
TORRINGTON — Foot traffic is beginning to pick up at the New Brunswick Indoor Flea Market in the north end of the city.
The flea market, which has been in operation since February 2018, takes up some 5,000 square feet of space in one section of the factory complex that housed the former Brunswick Corp., which once employed hundreds of workers who made some of the highest quality roller and ice skates and later steel golf club shafts.
Now, in addition to Bill “Dusty” Rhoades’ large selection of items, everything from tools and small machinery to collectibles and furniture, there are 10 other vendors there who also sell an eclectic assortment of wares. Rhoades, who lives in Winsted, serves as CEO of the flea market.
“I was hoping we would have more vendors by now because everyone who is here is very happy,” said Rhoades, who has been a dealer for over 30 years. His brother, Charlie, owns the former Brunswick factory, in which there is also a boat sales shop.
“I think the space is great; that’s why we thought it would make a great flea market,” Bill Rhoades said. “It has large windows and is well lit. Summers are slow because there is so much else going on. But winter and the cooler months are busy. Also, when it rains, business always picks up any time of the year.”
Stan Troski, of Watertown, frequents the flea market and on a recent day the former employee of radio station WELI in New Haven was perusing old vinyl records.
“I come up because it is a good-sized flea market with quite a bit of items. I’m looking for records today but I’m really into collecting trains,” Troski said.
Troski came away with a prized “demo” record, an old 45 rpm that agents used to bring to radio stations in hopes of getting their clients some airplay.
Jerry Lemelin, of Winsted, was managing Rhoades’ booth for him while the CEO was out and about looking for items for his expansive offerings.
“Our busy time is when it gets colder outside, especially in the winter months. We really do have a lot of items here for only 11 vendors and there’s everything from antiques and jewelry to memorabilia,” Lemelin said. “We would like to have more visibility for the market, with signs along the road, but that has been restricted to some degree.”
Vincenzo Nania was also both-sitting, but for Delphina McKenna of Harwinton, who was attending a party.
“She has pretty much everything; tools, signs, collectibles and so much else,” Nania said. “She does pretty well here, although we would like to increase the community’s awareness of what we have. And we would like to reach out to people beyond Torrington to let them now we are here.”
Bristol’s Jesse Spaar has been a vendor at the New Brunswick Indoor Flea Market since it opened. He’s been pleased with how his business has fared thus far.
“I’ve got an assortment of things — knives, memorabilia and lots of sports stuff, including jerseys and photos, some of them signed. The most popular items have been the football jerseys, Giants and Patriots stuff,” Spaar said. “We held a few outdoor flea markets in the parking lot (which is spacious) and those have gone over well.”
Harwinton’s Scott Price was decked out in his tie-dye shirt he purchased from “Righteous Rags”, which has an extensive selection of the hip apparel in a brightly lit section of the flea market. Price’s booth offers “oddities.”
“I’ve been here about a year and a half and am enjoying being part of the market,” Price said. “There are always people who stop in and browse and sometimes buy. It’s fun.”
Rhoades hopes a small kitchen can be added to the flea market operation in order to provide food options for patrons. “We want to renovate the bathrooms and maybe have a restaurant on the upper floor, which could be open every day,” he said.
The flea market, located at 601 Migeon Ave., is open only on the weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free through Labor Day, after which time there will be a minimal charge to enter.
The flea market is always looking for new vendors. If interested, visit www.newbrunswickfleamarket.com, or call Dusty Rhoades at 860-307-4394.
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