The person who invented the old saying “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” has obviously gone to lots of flea markets. If you’ve ever rented a flea market table, maybe you thought items like your grandfather’s old farm tools and your mother’s vintage canning jars weren’t really worth much. You were surprised that nostalgia fans and collectors might consider these pieces the find of the day – if they’re priced right. To snag desirable items like these, determined flea market shoppers often wade through endless tables of “stuff” with questionable value and wildly varying prices. Every week, they fan out across Murphy, NC and Cherokee County, hoping to find those elusive bargains that will make their efforts worthwhile.
SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS (Open All Year)
Decker’s and Foster’s Flea Markets, 75 Blairsville Highway, Murphy, NC
(At intersection of US Highway 64 and Route 129 toward Blairsville, GA)
Just across the street from each other, these two flea markets each have their own distinctive appeal. You won’t find an official opening time, so hit the vendor tables in late morning, after a leisurely breakfast.
Decker’s Flea Market: Decker’s is a good old-fashioned local flea market with a mix of professional dealers and weekly table renters. Many dealers lease building stalls around the market’s exterior, and sell items including clothing, antiques, and ammunition. You’ll even find a shop owner who sells gorgeous wooden mantels, a nice finishing touch for your mountain cabin.
Outside, table renters sell household items, old farm tools, knick knacks, and everything in between. Because this market is open year ’round, kerosene heaters and fans provide climate control, depending on the season. When you get hungry, grab a snack and keep shopping.
Foster’s Flea Market: Next, head across the street to Foster’s Flea Market. Helpful tip: Use the crosswalk, and make sure the traffic stops before you step into the road. Once you get into Foster’s territory, you’ll notice that this market is a somewhat different animal.
Looking from left to right, you’ll see a row of building-stall dealers selling everything from puppies to antiques. Next, step into a long covered pavilion occupied by dealers and table renters. While you browse, notice the collection of RV’s tucked into the back lot, occupied by dealers who live on the property.
Next, enter Foster’s relatively new wooden exhibition building, constructed to replace an older building destroyed by fire several years ago. Inside this spacious structure, you’ll find numerous long-term dealer spaces, each attractively arranged around a central theme. Dealers sell antiques, nicely constructed wooden furniture, and period décor, among other items. Near the front, step into a shop featuring jams, salsas, handmade soaps, and artisans’ works. Finally, stock up on fruits and vegetables before stepping outside to browse more tables and food vendors. Note: This building is open seven days a week.
Of course, we couldn’t talk about Foster’s Flea Market without mentioning the weekly jam sessions near the building’s back door. When the market is open, you might find several old-timers playing (and singing) traditional mountain music. Listening to them takes you back in time, and they’re worth the visit all by themselves.
TUESDAYS (Open All Year)
King’s Flea Market, King Street (behind BB&T Bank, across from McDonald’s), Murphy, NC. Hint: Obey bank-posted parking signs to avoid getting towed.
King’s Flea Market opens early on Tuesday mornings, and usually closes around 1 p.m. In fact, King’s has been open every Tuesday for more than 40 years. This eclectic open-air market typically features seasonal produce, antiques, collectibles, old tools, household goods, and even plants on occasion. Generally speaking, this place is an institution, and you never know what you’ll find there. You might even get some gardening tips and local knowledge.
Now that you’ve gotten the lowdown on Murphy, NC flea markets, get your tote bags ready, and put on your walking shoes. Then, let the bargain hunting begin!
The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC – www.ilovemurphy.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team