The Flea Off Market

The Flea Off Market is the reoccurring pop up flea market in an empty lot that links together Nulu and the Highlands. It’s a hangout place and also a shopping center that lasts for one weekend each month. It’s the event my fiancé’ loves to attend, that I keep finding less and less appealing.
The food trucks are the best part. The selection of food is better and more diverse than any food court I’ve ever been to. I’ve been tantalized by gyros, burgers, tacos, BBQ pork, and even lobster while walking around. My favorite dessert, Louisville Cream, is always there to top off my visit to the Flea Off Market with ice cream.
There is also a nice standing bar for cocktails and beers. The tap selection is impressive, and the bartenders definitely pour strong, so if you were imagining a tipsy Sunday, you can definitely come here and fulfill your wishes.
My problem with the Flea Off Market is that I can’t tell if it’s a hang out space or a shopping space, or an odd mixture between the two. When I first came of the Flea Off Market, I saw vendors that I would normally see. People selling old electronics, consignment shop style clothing, handmade nic-​nacs, and old junk. Now, the shopping experience has much more new items, candles, dog foods, and pop-​up shop dresses. It definitely feels more like an outdoor shopping experience than it does a Flea Market. This is totally cool, but has definitely changed my expectations.
This is a fun thing to do on a weekend in Louisville, it’s be all means more fun than our shopping malls, but each time I go, I’m a little less impressed with what it has to offer. I’ll keep coming back for the independent foods, but the shopping experience is a definite miss for me.

The Flea Off Market is One of those things that makes Louisville truly a unique city. And open air market featuring some of the best and quirky vendors around. Depending on who is out there, you can find everything from vintage NBA T-​shirts to old jazz albums. There is also a food court with local vendors such as Steel City pops. Over all, it is a great environment and a good place to find some hidden treasures.

I love that this exists. It’s my second time and it feels like it’s growing.
There are plenty of food trucks, everything from gourmet doughnuts and cupcakes, steel city pops to Turkish & Latino food. Something for everyone.
The booths have a lot of homemade things. A lot of local Kentucky flavor. I bought some cool Churchill Downs prints. This is NOT a used junk place but more like a couple steps down from a St James combined with a flea market.
If you’re looking to poke around a bit and explore this is a good place to come for an hour.

The Flea Off Market is way cool… It has all the elements of your traditional grandma’s flea market — arts and crafts sold by local vendors — but the Flea Off offers a lot, lot more…
— Food trucks offering things like Cuban sandwiches, Design-​Your-​Own donut, and Popsicles.
— Cozy seating, with a fire pot for chillier days.
— Pets, brought by patrons, vendors, and available for adoption.
— Booze!
— Breakdancing!
— Yoga classes, and other pop-​up events
— Itchy, the Flea Off mascot, who wears a top hat so clearly he is a classy gentleman.
It happens once a month and its totally worth your while to check it out!
Oh, and I’ll leave you with three important words.
Chicken. Shit. Bingo.

It’s Sunday. Work is looming and the only thing that can motivate me out of my house? Flea teas, Louisville Cream, henna and shopping… at the Flea off Market. I have been attending this local flea since it was literally a block off Market, with the street filled with booths. With local crafters, local creators, and local vendors, it has grown exponentially over the past few years and has become a regular event for my mom and I every month.
Whether we are looking to enjoy the nice weather doing something outside, or you want to get Louisville Creams latest concoction, or you need an amazing local gift for a shower or birthday, the Flea is the place to go! The Fresh Market parking lot has vendors that line up and they range in all varieties.
Last month I purchased some really delicious hot pepper jelly and salsa. It was from a Kentucky Proud establishment. Yesterday I purchased some wax melts for my warmer at home, again another Kentucky proud vendor. Saturday I tried a new place for my sweets craving and I was very happy with my decision. I had a mango Popsicle from Steel City Pops. Delicious and perfect for a sunny afternoon. In the past I have gotten henna tattoos, flea teas, and varieties of earrings ranging in all prices. I cant say I’ve ever made a bad decision at the Flea.
Needless to say I am never disappointed. I always find something to look at and I never leave empty handed. I take my friends when they are in from out of town and my mom or fiancé and i frequent it almost every month.
In fact, I look forward to it. And now I will look forward to seeing you there… with beer in hand, sunglasses on, and your shopping face ready to go #yolo

Flea Off Market leaves a lot to be desired. We came after catching up with some friends at brunch and we did a circle in about 20 minutes. I guess I could see myself enjoying a drink here if it was nice but then again why wouldn’t I just got to a local bar? The best part were the food trucks but since we had already had brunch there was really no point. The actual vendors are basic Louisville flea market vendors and I say that because it is still an «up-​scale» flea market. I just don’t need to buy any of that stuff… It’s a fine place to go by but I really do not see myself coming back. The way they advertise I expected a lot more. It’s a flea market so just understand what to expect.

I had a lot of fun at this flea market and spent way too much money. I have no idea why I thought I needed any of the things I bought but I do, I needed every last one of them.
I like supporting local anything: restaurants, shops, craftsman, and artists. I just don’t have a lot of opportunities to do it. I was impressed by the fact that it was a small flea market (it was just the right size for my attention span and post brunch bladder) and while it was small it had a fairly comprehensive set of booths. There was a lot of cool stuff to see and more than one booth of, «what the funk?» I swear to God I saw Tina Fey and Amy Poehler dressed as Snow White and Queen Elsa (and there were no Bloody Marys at bruch, thank you very much).
There was also a small fleet of food trucks and one dedicated to cocktails, which would have been fortuitous considering their absence from brunch (something I can’t seem to let go of) but I had to (had to) go to Target afterwards and drinking and Target do not mix.
We walked in declaring we weren’t going to buy anything and we walked out with the feeling of smug superiority one gets when the support local businesses.

The name is a bit deceiving, but we still really enjoyed our time at The Flea Off Market. It seemed to cater more towards crafts than what you’d think of for a flea market, which was totally fine, just not quite what we had hoped.
If we’d gone there when it wasn’t so cold, I’m sure we would have stayed a bit longer and actually ate from one of the food trucks, grabbed a drink and enjoyed ourselves. Maybe that’ll be our luck the next time we’re in Louisville.
My favorite part — no cover to get in!

The Flea off Market is as much a people watching destination as it is a shopping and swapping place. The entire lot is full of young and old, families with children, singles, couples, lots of dogs and strollers and just about every other cool, quirky and interesting thing you could imagine. Since our move to NuLu just under 2 years ago we have seen the Flea grow dramatically. There are many more booths and a much wider variety of items to peruse. This weekend many of the food trucks were moved to a blocked off section of Wentzel. Lots of items to sample and buy.

Went to the holiday event at Bowman Field. We had a fun time browsing all the eclectic stuff.

I started going to The Flea Off Market this summer and I haven’t missed one since. Its a nice place to go when there’s an afternoon when you want to take a stroll, have a few drinks, buy some trinkets and visit a few of your favorite food trucks.
They’ll occasionally have games and music and random dance offs. There’s quite a few seats to be had if you grab a bite at one of the food trucks, there’s always a booth where they sell cocktails for around 6.00 and there’s plenty of things to see and crafts to buy.
My favorite things are the soap/​scrub/​lotion vendors, the bone jewelry vendor, the sauces/​jams/​breads/​pickles and the food trucks.
There’s a few things I don’t like, for instance, I feel like some of the vendors are selling old junk (maybe they think its vintage?), and things that I believe that they bought on eBay or Amazon in bulk and are now selling it at exuberant prices. I wish that there were more vendors, there’s tons of extra space. A few extra trashcans would be much appreciated!
All in all: Definitely worth checking out and meeting local crafters and buying a few local products. I almost love it, just a few hiccups.

This was my second time at the Flea Off Market and I love it.
There is always a great selection of food trucks (and when it’s warmer SnoWhat, my favorite place is normally there). Its great to see all the litte booths with vintage and had crafted items.
This most recent trip there, they had a photo booth for free which was a fun way to end our trip there

I do not have enough wonderful things to say about 240 Sweet!!! The guys and gals who run it are not only hilarious but extremely talented! They are on the up and coming for all things marshmallow and sweet! I have been mellow blown after every bite ;) you guys just simply rock my marshmallows off!

I love this flea market. You never know what you might find. I appreciate that it’s more artisan and less resellers. The people here are selling art and created wares, not up-​priced junk!
It’s a cool atmosphere with some really fun and funky people. There’s music and food trucks, people with their adorable pets and just an all around good time!

The Flea Off Market has become the place to be and reconnect with friends one weekend every month during the spring, summer and fall (and even a couple of times indoors during the winter).
Over the last few years or so, the Flea has grown into a great part of Louisville culture.
It has shopping, food, tunes, drinks and great peeps — really how can you not be into it???
Some things in particular that I’ve liked about the Flea:
* THE FOOD. From fun food trucks to carts to vendors, some of the best food can be found at the Flea. I’ve discovered several through the Flea that have become favorites. In particular, keep an eye out for SnoWhat, Louisville Cream and Hi-​Five Doughnuts. I also came across 240Sweet, a gourmet marshmallow maker, at the last Flea. More than anything, the food has become my favorite part.
* Book and record vendors. If you are in the market for these, there are usually a couple of vendors with crates upon crates of these.
* Handmade goods. From jewelry to home goods to art, there are several offering high quality, handmade products at reasonable prices.
* Pop-​up events. Along with shopping, the Flea has hosted music, workouts — even chicken shit bingo. (If the chicken poos on your number, you win!)
The organizers of the Flea seem to be constantly trying to bring fun and new vendors and entertainment into the Flea, which keeps me coming back. And it helps the Flea continue to grow.
I will say that it seems like many of its patrons come to hang out, rather than shop, but if the vendors are happy, then I’m not going to criticize them on this.
As long as the Flea keeps «keeping Louisville weird,» I’ll be back.

Love me some Flea Off Market! There’s always something creative and fun to find here. The crowd that frequents the Flea Off Market is full of inspiring people and gives you a great taste of what Louisville is all about!
I’ve never had anything but good experiences with the vendors that set up for the day. From jewelry, to home décor, furniture, clothing, and Louisville items, there’s a booth to fit anyone’s taste.
Speaking of taste… There is food truck galore, so you better come hungry!

A nice variety of vendors, food trucks, and people. I was really pleased with some unexpected finds… a lot of great handmade jewelry and Louisville-​themed items. Most folks were really friendly as well.
I like that it’s free admission and conveniently located. And dog friendly!
A great way to spend a weekend afternoon.

A haven for hippies and hipsters alike!
And…you know… all us regular folk too…
It’s a great way to spend a weekend afternoon. Food trucks galore, delicious beverages for your day-​drinking needs, circus performers, chicken shit bingo, and art, home goods, and clothes!
This weekend was my first time coming to the Flea Off Market, and it certainly won’t be my last!

The Flea Off Market is so incredibly Highlands. So many unique people and things in one spot. My experience this past weekend would probably be 5 stars but considering all of the times I have been– it can be hit or miss so I am giving it 4 for now.
With the weather being so perfect on Saturday and Sunday– the place was packed! Live music, food trucks, cocktails, loads of cool vendors selling everything from hats and jewelry to furniture and coasters. There is a little something for everyone– no matter what your taste or personality.
I had a couple of delicious pink margarita drinks and a yummy veggie curry lunch from the food truck owned by Dragon King’s Daughter. There was a variety of food, beer, tea, coffee etc to choose from. The best part– besides running into my friend Ashley and hanging all afternoon– was the adorable red wedge shoes I scored for $ 8. Love them! I also bought a cute nautical handbag for $ 4.
It warms my heart to see local people making a little money while we all have a great time. The Flea Off Market is held the 2^nd Saturday of each month and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for next month.

I really enjoy The Flea Off Market. I would give it a full five-​star rating if not for a few small setbacks. It’s really just minor stuff, like the fact that they don’t have any umbrellas over the tables used to rest or eat; even though it’s usually really sunny/​hot on the days The Flea is held, and it’s in the middle of a parking lot, so the sun is beating down on you. But, like I said, I do enjoy it and there’s a lot of good stuff too.
It’s a fun way to spend time on nice weekend days during the spring, summer, and fall months. I love that Please & Thank You usually has a booth set up, and that there are always several food trucks there serving up delicious local food. The booths are usually pretty nice with lots of unique items to choose from. I prefer the jewelry, prints, and household items (like candles) that are typically offered for sale.
My favorite part about The Flea, other than the food, is just meeting people from this city that I love so much. At the first Flea this year I had the opportunity to meet a local artist who is doing amazing things with local Louisville and Kentucky items. Now, I’m actually helping him gather items for use in some of his projects. It’s the relationships you find there, like that one, that are really the best find at The Flea.