Flea Market celebrates 20 years
by Michelle Minnoch

A staple in the community at Highway 400 and Innisfil Beach Road, The 400 Market and Antique Mall has been a fixture in Innisfil for the past 20 years.

Opening in 1986 and undergoing three major expansions within the past two decades, The 400 Market and Antique Mall is one of the largest flea and antique markets in Ontario. Two years ago, Roadshow Antiques, formally located at Hwy 89 in Cookstown, moved into the building. The 102,000 square foot structure now incorporates 32,000 square feet for the Antique Mall.

The flea market itself houses over 300 indoor vendors and about 50 outside," said Scott Saunders, General Manager of The 400 Market. He said in the winter, about 10 to 15 of the outdoor vendors brave the elements and sell their products outdoors.

Saunders said in the beginning, The 400 Market started out as most did, with hub caps and starter motors for sale.

"The flea market has changed the past number of years," he said. "We get a lot of products from over seas that have not yet made retail store shelves - toys, electronics and clothing articles."

He also said there has been an increase in the number of brand name clothing lines that are featured in the Market - Gap and North Face to name a few.

"Sometimes before the items are shipped off to Winners, we get them for a weekend."

With over 10,000 visitors passing through the doors every weekend, The 400 Market has become a place for one stop shopping. With a huge selection of food, clothing, games, toys, collectables, music, DVD's, electronics, jewelry and home furnishings, The 400 Market is where patrons can spend $1 on something, or $4000 on a plasma television.

The 400 Market features many spaces for wheelchair parking, and the building features wide aisles for wheelchairs accessibility, shoppers with walkers and for parents with strollers.

Some of the vendors have been with The 400 Market since the beginning. Vendors lease their spaces monthly.

One of the newest features The 400 Market is offering is a $1 breakfast at Eric's Snack Shack - including scrambled eggs, bacon and hash browns from 9 - 11 am. This is on top of the 'dollar dogs' that can be purchased throughout the day.

The 400 Market is open Saturday's and Sunday's throughout the year from 9am until 5pm. The Antique Mall is open seven days a week from 10am until 5:30pm.