Sprawled across the parking lot at the Eagle’s Lodge on North Lombard is the Portland Indoor-Outdoor Flea Market. Admission: one measly buck. No negotiating that, but everything else is up for dickering.
The Flea Market is held every Sunday from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm. The vast array of items for sale boggles the mind: bongos, Barbie dolls, toys, tools, electronics, cameras, fishing reels, saddles, knives, swords, DVDs, a lawn bowling set, and a motorboat priced at $750. Make an offer. I did (not on the boat). I came away with a leather basketball, worn but in good shape, for $3 (talked down from $5).
Inside the Flea Market, the only light came through the windows. Word was that a telephone pole had been hit knocking power out. It was not a ploy to prevent you from closely examining the wares offered. The show went on, in the dark.
“I started selling here eight years ago when it opened,” one woman says, “all because my bastard ex-husband left me with no money.”
“I started selling here eight years ago when it opened,” one woman says, “all because my bastard ex-husband left me with no money. So I began selling my clothes and jewelry. And here I am. We all keep an eye on each other – and an eye out for good deals on things to sell.”
Another guy: “I got the time and I got the junk. Might as well get rid of it. But it’s mostly just junk.” He was right. He says he is living at the poverty level and didn’t make enough to pay taxes last year. Still, he paid his $35 annual art tax, thinking he had to. The City sent his money back. He took the deal.