For years I traveled the highways of New Jersey and Pennsylvania trying to make a living selling paintings, drawings, and prints at local flea markets all over the region. That experience is the basis of our story. It is also why I started the NJ Flea Markets Calendar.
I was never very successful at this endeavor but I did meet some wonderful characters and I learned a lot about flea markets. Eventually I learned to give the most people what they wanted the most and I finally began to make better money. When I gave up on fine art and prints and concentrated on selling as many dollar items as I could load up in my van, I doubled my income. I was then able to eat, buy gas and pay my rent. Life as a junk man was pretty damn good. Sometimes I still miss those days and it’s still hard to pass by a pile of treasures on the curb that someone just got rid of.
My New Jersey flea guide will feature some markets that I know quite well and others that I’ve only heard about. When I have personal experience with a market, I’ll let you know my recommendations.
South Jersey Markets
Columbus Flea Market, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, open all year:
Columbus is a very strange market. You can find just about anything you could want here from art to car parts to tomatoes. The outdoor market can be brutal in the summer because that black pavement just soaks in the sun and heat all day long and throws it right back at you.
I recommend Thursdays [I was always too busy in Lambertville on the weekends]. I recommend eating before or after you get there at one of the local diners in Bordentown. Plus, I recommend going with an open mind, you never know what you might find.
Columbus Flea Market, Farmers Market, Antiques and Collectibles Market
2919 Route 206 South
Columbus, NJ 08022
Telephone: 609-267-0400
The Grand Market Place, Every Thursday through Sunday, open all year:
The Grand Market Place is open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They are open year round. Grand is an indoor flea market with over 150 stores. Some of the things that you will find there include: clothes, shoes, toys, vintage toys, jewelry, perfume, fresh produce, Mexican food, Amish food and baked goods, Spanish food, a Diner, coffee, nails, a barber shop, a massage parlor, an arts and crafts store, antiques, used furniture, antiques …
The Grand Market Place
4340 Route 130 North
Willingboro, NJ 08046
Telephone: 609-877-0101
Rancocas Flea Market, 2nd Sunday of every month, March-December:
I don’t know Rancocas that well, but I had friends that swore by it. I have still not been able to confirm that the market is still going. But I did find a craft co-op with an antique mall there.
RancocasFlea Market, Rancocas Woods, or William Spencer Flea Market
118 Creek Road [about one mile from @ Exit 43 on New Jersey Turnpike, I-295]
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
Telephone: 609-235-1830
Website: None Found
Berlin Farmers & Flea Market, Saturday and Sunday, open all year:
The Berlin Farmers Market is the oldest market of its kind in New Jersey. It was opened in 1940 by the Gibberson family. They still own and run the market today. In the early days, Berlin was a livestock and produce auction where local farmers would bring their goods to sell. It is one of the largest markets in the area with over 150,000 square feet of indoor market space. There are over 85 stores that sell a wide range of merchandise. You’ll find …
Berlin Flea Market
41 Clementon Rd.
Berlin, NJ 08009 (Camden County, South Jersey)
Telephone: 856-767-1284
Jersey Shore Markets
Englishtown Auction Flea Market, Saturday and Sunday, open all year:
Englishtown has to be one of the biggest NJ flea markets with over 300 vendors indoors and 40 acres of market space outside. This is not just an antique market like some of the others in our guide. At Englishtown you’ll find fresh locally grown produce, clothes, shoes, electronics, vacuum cleaners, jewelry, collectibles, toys, furs and more. The market has been in business since 1929. As far as I can tell, they do not hold auctions here anymore. The market is located northwest of Freehold in Monmouth County. From Trenton or Philadelphia, take the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) to Exit 8 toward toward Hightstown Freehold.
Englishtown Auction Flea Market
90 Wilson Avenue
Englishtown, NJ 07726
Telephone: 732-446-9644
New Egypt NJ Flea Market, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday [Sunday is the main day]:
The New Egypt Flea Market was started in 1959. It has more than 40 buildings full of new and antique merchandise. Many of these shops were World War II barracks that were brought here from Fort Dix. New Egypt prides itself on being a country market. The market features everything from electronics to clothes. You’ll find tools, bicycles, lawn mowers, jewelry, antiques, books, collectibles, dolls, local art, hardware and more.
The market is open every Sunday, Monday and Wednesday year round. The parking is free and admission is too. There’s an antique auction onsite also.
New Egypt Flea Market
933 Route 537 (Monmouth Road)
New Egypt, New Jersey in Ocean County, Jersey Shore
Telephone: (609) 758-2082
Route 70 Lakewood Flea Market & Auction, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, open all year:
The Route 70 market was begun over 30 years ago by Ray Reynolds. It is still being run by his family. The market today features over 600 tables, 30 indoor permanent stores and numerous food stands. You’ll find a wide range of items here: car parts, auto accessories, electronics, fresh produce, home improvement supplies, clothing, shoes, home decor, toys, gifts and more. The indoor markets are open year round.
Route 70 Flea Market
117 New Jersey 70
Lakewood Township, NJ 08701 in Ocean County, Jersey Shore
Telephone: 732-370-1837
Central Jersey Markets
Lambertville Flea Market, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday:
This is my favorite flea market of all time. It holds some wonderful memories for me. I learned a lot of things here and made very good friends. Lambertville has an amazing array of dealers and customers. There are also more artists that set up here than in any otherflea market thatI’ve ever known. It is a wonderfully funky place.
I recommend Wednesdays to find some really good deals. On the weekends, I recommend getting there before dawn in the late spring and summer to find some incredible treasures. I recommend a good sunhat and that you know your stuff if you are buying or selling art here. I love this market!
Lambertville FleaMarket, Lambertville Antiques Market, Gold Nugget, GoldenNuggett, Golden Nugget Antique Fleamarket
State Highway 29
Lambertville, NJ 08530
Telephone: 609-397-0811
Neshanic Flea Market, Sunday:
Every Sunday the small community of Neshanic holds a flea market. It is located just south of Route 202 in rural Hunterdon County. They do not have a website.
North Jersey Markets
Dover NJ Flea Markets and Street Fairs, Sunday:
Every Sunday the historic town of Dover located in the heart of Morris Countycomes alive with theDover Flea Market and Street Fair. The event runs from 9:00 in the morningto 5:00 in the afternoon every Sunday from April thru December. To get to Dover you take Interstate 80 to exit 35-A. There’s plenty of free parking and there’s no admission.
Dover Flea Market and Street Fair
18 West Blackwell Street
Dover, New Jersey, 07801
Telephone: 973-989-7870
Five Acres Flea Market, Saturday & Sunday, seasonal:
The 5 Acres Flea Market is located in Belvidere on Route 46. From my experience, it is quite popular and well attended in the summer. I used to go to an auction every week up this way in Oxford and I knew a couple of the dealers that sold here. I did visit the market one time in the summer and it was packed.
Update *** The market is still going. I just got another update: 5 Acres Flea Market: Yes, We are still in business and under new management. We open Saturday and Sunday at 6:00 a.m. and are looking to open on Fridays as well. My contact # is 908-303-1608. Angelo from 5 Acres on Facebook:. I just got an email saying that the market has been sold and that the new owners are updating and improving the market. You’ll find antiques, collectibles, crafts, furniture, fresh produce and new and used household goods. If you know anything about this market, please contact us.
Five Acres, 5 Acres
421 U.S. 46
Belvidere, NJ 07823
Telephone: 908-475-2572
No Website, no information
New Meadowlands Flea Market, Saturday:
The New Meadowlands Flea Market is located in East Rutherford, New Jersey at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in the heart of Bergen County. The market was founded in 1991 and new management has taken over this year. Bob Brumale, the manager of the state fair is the new manager. The market is open every Saturday, special event days and holidays. The market features fresh produce, carnival food, free entertainment and games. Admission and parking are free.
The Meadowlands Flea is easy to get to. It is situated at Route 3 and the New Jersey Turnpike.There’s also bus and train service from New York City and Jersey.
New Meadowlands Market
102 Route 120
East Rutherford, NJ, 07073
Telephone: 973-450-1073 or 1082
Main Memorial Park Flea Market in Clifton NJ – May 2, 2009
Flea Market at Church of Grace and Peace in Toms River, NJ – May 2, 2009
Yanticaw Park Flea Market, Yanticaw Park in Nutley, NJ – May 3, 2009
Teaneck Armory Flea Market, Teaneck Road & Liberty Road in Teaneck, NJ – May 9, 2009
Cedar Lake:
April 30, 2011: Cedar Lake will have a huge community-wide flea market at the Clubhouse on Saturday, April 30, 2011 from 8 to 3 p.m., rain or shine. Vendors Wanted!! $35 inside clubhouse w/table; $30 outside without. Interested, please e-mail ccfleamarket@aol.com for an application.
