Shop the Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market Saturday, Sept. 12

Alexandria, VA – Lauren Fisher and Amy Eggers met at a Del Ray Business Association (DRBA) pop-up market last year and became fast friends. While discussing their mutual love of collecting antiques and vintage items, and perusing flea markets, they decided to open up their own market, the Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market.

The memorable name reflects that it is indeed a flea market, but they specifically added “vintage” so people also clued into more of that niche market. Satisfying both bargain hunters and high-end antique collectors, the Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market has universal appeal.

Lauren Fisher is also co-owner of Del Ray Psych & Wellness, which just happened to be a great location for the market. So they set it up in the parking lot of her building at 1900 Mount Vernon Avenue, at E. Bellefonte Street.

The adjacent Salvation Army graciously offered its parking lot so the market could expand, offering vendors and shoppers plenty of room to roam and browse. In response, the market has a depository for shoppers to donate nonperishable food items for the Salvation Army.

The two women were guests on Z-TV’s The Virginia Amos Show (click to watch episode below) and shared their love of the market and how thankful they are to be able to make it work during the pandemic.

Virginia Amos interviews people who make Alexandria such a great place to live and work, and it quickly became apparent that these two fit the bill. Lauren Fisher is a prominent psychologist and business owner in Del Ray, and Amy Eggers is local business owner as well as a fifth-generation Del Ray resident. Amy said, “I was really excited to begin a new community event, and I hope it becomes a tradition. I’m eager to dig my heels in and create new memories for people.”

Vendors say The Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market is their favorite place to sell because the people in this community are so nice. And that makes all the difference, even if they don’t sell anything. They’re still out and about, having fun.

It’s clear they’re providing a real boon for the community. Amy explained, “One guy said this is the only thing that has made me feel normal again. You see the same people, vendors and shoppers – and it’s nice to have that normalcy again. It makes all the lugging worth it,” she laughed.

This year, especially with Del Ray’s beloved Art on the Avenue needing to be held online, there’s a real value in bringing people safely back into the neighborhood. Both women are members of the DRBA and do what they can to support small businesses. When their market brings people to the area, other shops on the block benefit from the increased foot traffic.

What’s for sale at the Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market?

Recent collectibles include furniture, arts and crafts supplies, housewares, and interestingly, tiki items! Lauren said, “One woman was delighted to find and buy a tiki bar to get her through this pandemic.” There’s kitchenware, jewelry, home goods, and clothing, including vintage clothing. Another woman scooped up a classic Lily Pulitzer dress from the 1960s. As Amy said, “It’s so nice to see these wonderful pieces get a second life.”

If you wish, bring in your own antiques for a free appraisal on-site with realtor and antique appraiser Monika Schiavo.

Visit Saturday, September 12, 9 am to 1 pm, 1900 Mt. Vernon Avenue in Del Ray

The Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market is free to attend! It’s open the second Saturday of every month (April through December), 9 am to 1 pm, at 1900 Mt. Vernon Avenue, at the corner of E. Bellefonte Street.

Bring some nonperishable food to donate to the Salvation Army if you wish, and then shop to your heart’s delight. There’s music, a lemonade stand, and a fabulous aura of community, commerce, and kitsch.