Brimfield Flea Market has 19 lots, thousands of shoppers, countless stories (2024)

The COVID-19 pandemic threw a curveball to the Brimfield Flea Market, a staple of Western Massachusetts, with roots dating back to 1959.

But it’s back in full swing from July 13-18 and there’s a lot to take in with 19 fields to explore, thousands of items and smells of fried dough and fresh-cut grass.

Within all of the excitement, is a community.

Take Kate Corriveau, who owns the Brimfield Auction Acres and the Brimfield Winery and Cidery with her husband, Rusty. The Auction Acres, which is opening to shoppers on Friday, is the oldest lot of the fair and the only one to open in May. On Wednesday, Corriveau came on a Facebook Live with MassLive where she shared the history of the flea market and gave an in-depth rundown of the winery’s drink selection.

Corriveau also shared the story of Paul Young, who attended his fifty-second Brimfield flea market this week. In contrast, Kilia Ververidis, owner of the Hertan’s lot, had her first opening this year.

MassLive caught the live opening of the Hertan’s lot at noon on Facebook Live.

“Opening day yesterday far exceeded our expectations. My next-door neighbor whose owned her show for decades said it was the biggest gate she’s ever seen at a Brimfield show. The weather was beautiful, the field was full and the energy was palpable,” Ververidis said.

Hertan’s, the Auction Acres and New England Motel all charge opening day fees of $5.

In the Hertan’s lot, shoppers may stumble across Eccentric Light owned and operated by Rose and David Wilbour, who have been married for over 40 years. The Wilbours fill their shop with items are drawn to. For David, it started as maps and stamps. For Rose, lighting and art. After, they started to expand to more items as they grew accustomed to the market.

There is something special about selling in-person compared to the internet, the Wilbours said. The Brimfield Flea Market can be a bit of work for them and is dependent on the weather, but it’s an experience they share.

Next to Eccentric Light sat John Kaplan, owner of the business Fresh Bread where he sells his own wood-turning pieces and other things he finds interesting. Kaplan worked out of a bus he drove to the flea market.

Kaplan said he bought the Chevy bus off Craigslist from a group of people who used to drive it to softball games.

Furniture is everywhere at the market this year.

Matthew Gosch Antiques is one example. This tent had beautiful furniture, art and vintage house items like washing machine flakes and old telephones.

Gosch said his favorite piece in the shop was a cherry sideboard from the 1860s. Like many other vendors, Gosch said he buys things that he likes, and if he doesn’t sell, he can enjoy them.

Across the way is John Law, owner of Doctor John’s. Law laughed when asked how he picks out his merchandise. The tent was filled with unique items from around the world.

Law has been coming to the flea market for about 10 or 15 years from Forester, Rhode Island where his full-time job is fixing cars.

“The people around here are pretty good people,” he said.

Law got started in antiquing one day when he went down to a local auction house.

“I was hooked ever since,” he said. Since then, Law started buying and selling antiques around 50 miles from his home.

Law has also brought his grandson, Kevin, to shows before. He said he would give Kevin crackle glass and shoppers would come by and teach him about how to tell the origins of the items.

One time, Kevin even outsold his grandfather.

Law just enjoys the process of antique. Like many other vendors, over the years, he’s had return customers and developed a passion for the stories behind the pieces.

But Law doesn’t always know the history of his items. Sometimes he learns, but other times he doesn’t.

A conversation broke out between Law and a shopper who asked him about a lawn tool. Law said he once heard it was used to cut lilypads, but wasn’t entirely sure. Sometimes, when reviewing an item 20 people will all say it’s one thing, and sometimes, they all say it’s something different, Law said.

The customer bought the item, saying it’s something they just had to have.

Some customers buy for themselves and others buy for their own businesses. Cai Flynn and Nathan Chase own an up-cycle clothing store called Talking Threads in Ogunquit, Maine was shopping for clothing at the “Gonzo” tent.

Flynn and Chase said there are many benefits of thrifting: sustainability, the “treasure hunt,” a “celebration of quality, older threads” and the ability to connect with others.

The Brimfield Flea Market runs this July until the 18th and is returning this September 7-12.

Related Content:

• Brimfield Flea Market: Two new field owners bring fresh ideas to Western Massachusetts event, including movie production set, online market and art fair
• ‘Priceless’: Brimfield Flea Market reopens after COVID pandemic, with some taking the trip of a lifetime, while other feel like they are returning home
• Brimfield Flea Market: Brimfield Barn, one field operator will open during May show; majority opt to wait for July