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Bay Area flea market highlighting small businesses for over a decade

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Published  January 9, 2025 3:37pm EST
What's Right with Tampa Bay
FOX 13 News

Bay Area flea market propelling entrepreneurs

FOX 13's Mark Wilson highlights Indie Flea Market, which began as a small, independent marketplace and has transformed into a launchpad for local entrepreneurs in What's Right with Tampa Bay.

The Brief

    • Bay Area Indie Flea Market is open once a month, selling everything from homemade goods to specialty foods.
    • The market is entering its 12th year, highlighting small businesses.
    • Many Bay Area small businesses say they were propelled by Indie Flea Market while getting off the ground.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Twelve years ago, a small idea took root in St. Pete and has since grown into a thriving community hub for creativity and entrepreneurship. 

What began as a small, independent marketplace has transformed into a launchpad for local entrepreneurs. 

"We're really become experts in hosting the vendors and helping them succeed and keeping our mission the same from the beginning," Rosey Williams, Founder of Indie Flea, said. 

Small businesses set up at Indie Flea Market.

Small businesses set up at Indie Flea Market.

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Williams envisioned it as a place to give small businesses and creators a space to connect with the community and showcase their work, and her passion has paid off. 

"It was over 12 years ago. It's grown so huge," said Williams. "I've made so many amazing relationships over the years. It's been amazing to see all the businesses grow and scale along with us." 

Many vendors who started here now own storefronts, selling everything from handmade goods to specialty foods. 

People shop for boutique clothing at Indie Flea Market.

People shop for boutique clothing at Indie Flea Market.

"You're going to really find special gifts. You're going to find special vendors, small businesses, a lot of artisan food, a lot of things that you're not going to find in a mall or a corporate store," Williams stated. 

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For vendors like Sarah Reyes, who started selling plants six years ago, the Indie Flea Market has been a game-changer. 

"Indie Flea was really, really good for us. I mean, it really helped put our business on the map so when we did open a storefront, there were already people coming in that knew about us," said Sarah Reyes, the owner of Lida's Jungle Plants. 

Williams says Indie Flea Market helping to put a small business on the map is not uncommon.

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"We see it all the time, and we just love that someone is able to test something out, test a business out, and if it works out Indie Flea, it's most likely bound to work in a brick and mortar," Williams said. 

Sweets being sold at Indie Flea Market.

Sweets being sold at Indie Flea Market.

The Indie Flea Market is not just a market, it's a movement that is changing the lives of owners of small businesses in the Tampa Bay area. 

The flea market is open once a month, and it's a great way to support local businesses and find unique treasures. For more information on the Indie Flea Market, click here.

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