A fair market comes to Honesdale

New venture to focus on ‘family shopping fun’

By SANDY LONG

HONESDALE, PA — More than 700 vendors may soon be selling their wares at The Marketplace, a new outdoor market set to open at the Wayne County Fairgrounds on May 3.

The 70-acre site is expected to feature a mixture of vendors offering new and used merchandise, arts and crafts, information booths from non-profit organizations, family entertainment and a food court. Admission and parking will be free, and food vendors are being encouraged to set up seating areas for shoppers to create the atmosphere of a food court.

Alan Finchley, spokesperson for JC Management, host of the new venture, said the company has organized The Flea Market at Monticello Gaming and Raceway in New York for the past 35 years. The Marketplace is their first Pennsylvania venture. “Our theme is ‘Come watch us grow. This is just the beginning,’” said Finchley. “We want the vendors to make money and the public to enjoy themselves.”

Finchley stressed that the market will focus on “family shopping fun,” and that all vendors are required to uphold standards appropriate for families and children. “If shoppers experience any problems whatsoever, they should report them to our on-site coordinator at the marketplace entrance and we’ll take care of it,” said Finchley.

Honesdale’s Dessin Animal Shelter manager Sue Frisch said the non-profit animal organization will host a booth at the market and is grateful for the opportunity to do so. “The site is just down the road from the shelter, so people can stop by when they finish up at the market,” she said.

The Marketplace offers season-long or monthly contracts for vendors selling new, used or craft items. For those looking to set up a stand just to clean out the garage, daily rates are available at $15 for used items and $25 for new merchandise. Finchley said that the marketplace will always save space for daily vendors in order to assure variety for shoppers.

In addition, every Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., booths can be set up at no charge during “Sneak Preview.” A $25 refundable deposit is required to assure that cleanup is completed before the vendor leaves. Food vendors are required to serve quality food at locally competitive prices and to treat the public well, according to Finchley.

The Marketplace will be open weekends and holidays from May 3 through December 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except for July 26, 27 and August 2, 3, 9, 10, due to the annual Wayne County Fair.

Additional information is available at www.twincountymarkets.com/218.html or by calling 570/322-SHOP.