Profile: Raleigh Flea Market

The first time I experienced the Raleigh Flea Market I felt like a new world opened in front of me. After a lazy breakfast one Saturday I jumped in my old gray Volvo with the windows down and headed towards Raleigh. I kicked the heater just enough to offset the chill in the fresh spring air and blasted Jeff Tweedy.

Upon arrival, I quickly noticed the most diverse crowd I have encountered while living in North Carolina. Indian women walked around in bright flowing saris, Hispanic families were laughing and enjoying the sun, and middle-aged women pawed through doilies and antique collectibles. Old men hung around tools telling stories and ignoring time, while booth owners squabbled among each other. Looking across the outdoor booths, I noticed several women in full birka. I was thrilled and immediately excited; after all, I was in North Carolina, not our urban neighborhood up north.

I wandered through the produce markets admiring the color spilling out of boxes, and ran my fingers through the strands of beads filling a table. The different languages blended together and sounded like a melody transporting my thoughts far away.

I limited my purchases to two, although I could have easily done some damage at the antique jewelry tables. Different items for sale reminded me of close friends that I missed; the old wooden chairs, Middle Eastern jewelry, and the mahogany dressers.

At dusk I drove to Neomonde's, a local Lebanese Bakery and ate an amazing and fresh falafel pita wrap, and house-made hummus. The bakery sold shelves of spices, fresh breads and pastries, as a full menu. I was pleased to be in the minority speaking English. Driving home, I decided that if you were willing to drive 45 minutes and dig fairly deep in North Carolina's cultural pockets, you would probably find a gem.

http://www.raleighfleamarket.net/