Among heaps of antiques, collectibles and vintage clothing, frugal shoppers are rediscovering a recession-friendly place where prices are low and haggling is welcome.
In growing numbers since the recession began 18 months ago, they are heading to one of about 135 flea markets and swap meets in California, including those at the Rose Bowl and in Long Beach and San Bernardino.
"When the dollar stores and Wal-Mart are doing good, so is the flea market, usually," said Mark Blakewood, executive director of the National Flea Market Assn. "It's the consumers trying to tighten their belt."
At the Long Beach flea market -- held the third Sunday of every month -- attendance is up 35% over the last year and vendors have been angling to rent booths, co-founder and promoter Donald Moger said.
"We're sold out every show now," he said. "Now it's a question of how many dealers we're turning away."
Industrywide, flea markets have seen a 10% to 15% increase in attendance during the recession, Blakewood said. For dealers, that's meant fresh business from first-time shoppers.
"There's something for everybody," said Jack Perez, who sells furniture, silver and gold items and odds and ends at several markets in the Southland. New customers "not only want to come give flea markets a try, but they're also coming to compare prices against the stores."
Worried about job security, Ami Trejo, a medical site supervisor from Sun Valley, went to the Long Beach flea market recently looking for deals.
In a few hours, she picked up four pairs of earrings, two necklaces, two aprons, a small rug and an FAO Schwarz rocking dinosaur -- for a total of $68.
"This was my first time at a flea market, and I must say I was pleased," said Trejo, a single mother. "I didn't spend half what I would have spent somewhere else."
Sheri Rapaport, a stay-at-home mom from Brentwood, was preparing to redecorate her daughter's bedroom when the economy began to falter.
So she and 16-year-old Robyn scrapped plans to shop for furnishings at retail stores such as Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters and headed to the Melrose Trading Post, an outdoor antiques and collectibles market held every Sunday in the Fairfax District.
"I would have definitely gone to other places, but once the recession hit, I said, 'Let's come here,' " Rapaport said while the pair browsed the market recently. "In one month we cleaned up. I probably decorated her entire room for $400, and it looks cool."
