Lehigh Acres Flea Market amping up as season fast approaches
Mike Lipke
Mike Lipke, general manager of the Lehigh Acres Flea Market, said locals can look for some fun next month when the market begins holding events. In November, a steel drum group will provide entertainment.
“We have the parking and we will have good entertainment,” he said.
With season approaching, the market is gearing up for new visitors and business. Lipke said for many in Lehigh, it’s the only place to purchase fresh produce because it comes from area farms and not the markets, which have their produce shipped in from faraway places.
“We’ve got at least two vendors here that sell great produce at great prices. We have a following just to buy produce here that is in season,” Lipke said.
The market is prospering despite some setbacks a few years ago when some in Lehigh didn’t like the idea of flea market and vendors were not using permitted coverings at their businesses.
“But today, those outside vendors have the approved tenting and coverings and some of them have been with us for some time. You can buy almost anything you may want by just looking around,” Lipke said.
Also on the property is a large building that has been brought up to code standards and more businesses have taken over sites. You can enter the flea market by going down Plaza Drive and turning into the front of the Senior Citizens Center, or by the first medical building on Beth Stacey Blvd., or just turning in at 1303 Homestead Rd. and travel to the back.
“People can come here and buy tropical plants, such as palms and all types of shrubbery and pay probably half of what they would pay elsewhere.
“People can buy and trade at one of the stores in the building that has been there for a few years now. Just come in and see if you want to buy something or perhaps trade,” Lipke said. “If you need your computer repaired at an inexpensive price, come and see Sparky and he’ll help you.”
It’s October and Lipke said he has noticed an increase already in traffic, especially those first visitors from Canada.
Then November up to April are the main season months down here when the temperatures are often in the low to mid 80s and the nights are mild with a tropical breeze.
“That’s why the people come down here for their enjoyment, and to get way from what they may think will be a horrible winter again up north,” he said.
The message the flea market touts for itself is that the people who run the many small businesses are local and when money is spent locally, it goes into the local economy. You also don’t have to walk your legs off, as Lipke likes to say.
Lipke still believes the flea market is still the best kept secret in Lehigh Acres. And for those visiting Lehigh and staying at the community’s only hotel, the flea market is only a skip and a jump away.
“You know, this is the spot of the old community carnival grounds,” Lipke said. “It’s where the Lehigh Spring Festival also held all of its events for years. It was owned by the late Eugen Borosch, who passed away in 2013, and he lent the land to the community for a week.
“So this is a place where we had great community friendship and it still continues now at the flea market,” he said.
Lipke laughed and said you know you can buy sugar fresh sugar cane juice here. Betcha you didn’t know that and where else can you get it,” he asked.
“We have a tire repair shop that requires no appointment. Just drive up and the guys will help you repair a tire or if it is not salvageable, will sell you a tire. They are open seven days a week and also do repair on small engines. Then we have a lawn mower shop and we have a bicycle shop, where you can buy a bike at a great price or have one repaired.
“And for the men and women, too, who need alterations, there is a woman here at the flea market that specializes in that work and also sells nice clothing.
“If you love to walk through looking at the some of the antiques and remember them sometimes when you were a child, you can head to Chris’ Antiques – that’s where you can buy or trade,” Lipke said.
“You would be surprised of the thousands of items they have there. Some things you may not find anywhere else in the area.”
“Are we ready for Season? You bet we are. We also want to invite our citizens back to see some of the newer places. You can buy used or new furniture here and save big. You can buy, well almost anything you want if you take your time and look around. And what you will find here are true down to earth Lehigh residents who are working to make a living. They are friendly people,” Lipke said.
“So come pay us a visit. Our 40 or so vendors want your business,” he said. “And you can save some money by shopping here.”
Lehigh Acres Flea Market amping up as season fast approaches
Mike Lipke
Mike Lipke, general manager of the Lehigh Acres Flea Market, said locals can look for some fun next month when the market begins holding events. In November, a steel drum group will provide entertainment.
“We have the parking and we will have good entertainment,” he said.
With season approaching, the market is gearing up for new visitors and business. Lipke said for many in Lehigh, it’s the only place to purchase fresh produce because it comes from area farms and not the markets, which have their produce shipped in from faraway places.
“We’ve got at least two vendors here that sell great produce at great prices. We have a following just to buy produce here that is in season,” Lipke said.
The market is prospering despite some setbacks a few years ago when some in Lehigh didn’t like the idea of flea market and vendors were not using permitted coverings at their businesses.
“But today, those outside vendors have the approved tenting and coverings and some of them have been with us for some time. You can buy almost anything you may want by just looking around,” Lipke said.
Also on the property is a large building that has been brought up to code standards and more businesses have taken over sites. You can enter the flea market by going down Plaza Drive and turning into the front of the Senior Citizens Center, or by the first medical building on Beth Stacey Blvd., or just turning in at 1303 Homestead Rd. and travel to the back.
“People can come here and buy tropical plants, such as palms and all types of shrubbery and pay probably half of what they would pay elsewhere.
“People can buy and trade at one of the stores in the building that has been there for a few years now. Just come in and see if you want to buy something or perhaps trade,” Lipke said. “If you need your computer repaired at an inexpensive price, come and see Sparky and he’ll help you.”
It’s October and Lipke said he has noticed an increase already in traffic, especially those first visitors from Canada.
Then November up to April are the main season months down here when the temperatures are often in the low to mid 80s and the nights are mild with a tropical breeze.
“That’s why the people come down here for their enjoyment, and to get way from what they may think will be a horrible winter again up north,” he said.
The message the flea market touts for itself is that the people who run the many small businesses are local and when money is spent locally, it goes into the local economy. You also don’t have to walk your legs off, as Lipke likes to say.
Lipke still believes the flea market is still the best kept secret in Lehigh Acres. And for those visiting Lehigh and staying at the community’s only hotel, the flea market is only a skip and a jump away.
“You know, this is the spot of the old community carnival grounds,” Lipke said. “It’s where the Lehigh Spring Festival also held all of its events for years. It was owned by the late Eugen Borosch, who passed away in 2013, and he lent the land to the community for a week.
“So this is a place where we had great community friendship and it still continues now at the flea market,” he said.
Lipke laughed and said you know you can buy sugar fresh sugar cane juice here. Betcha you didn’t know that and where else can you get it,” he asked.
“We have a tire repair shop that requires no appointment. Just drive up and the guys will help you repair a tire or if it is not salvageable, will sell you a tire. They are open seven days a week and also do repair on small engines. Then we have a lawn mower shop and we have a bicycle shop, where you can buy a bike at a great price or have one repaired.
“And for the men and women, too, who need alterations, there is a woman here at the flea market that specializes in that work and also sells nice clothing.
“If you love to walk through looking at the some of the antiques and remember them sometimes when you were a child, you can head to Chris’ Antiques – that’s where you can buy or trade,” Lipke said.
“You would be surprised of the thousands of items they have there. Some things you may not find anywhere else in the area.”
“Are we ready for Season? You bet we are. We also want to invite our citizens back to see some of the newer places. You can buy used or new furniture here and save big. You can buy, well almost anything you want if you take your time and look around. And what you will find here are true down to earth Lehigh residents who are working to make a living. They are friendly people,” Lipke said.
“So come pay us a visit. Our 40 or so vendors want your business,” he said. “And you can save some money by shopping here.”
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