You may or may not know that the Flagler Flea Market is no more. May 31, 2009 marked the death of the local community staple. Management told vendors that they didn’t have to go home, but they did have to clear the way for construction crews. Flagler Dog Track is currently in the midst of a $45 million to $50 million renovation dubbed ”Magic City Casino’ that will add 700 slots and a 2,000-seat amphitheater to the existing dog racing and poker offerings.
Management told vendors that the closing was only temporary and that the flea market would eventually be back. However, after reading the Chief Operating Officer’s following statement in CBS4:
“It won’t be the way it was back there, it will be reopen in a different fashion, it might reopen in the back, we’re not sure yet. We’re studying all the options we have to try and bring back the vendors.”
I wouldn’t hold my breath. After all, do they really want flea market enthusiasts mixing with the casino/restaurant/nightclub/bar clientele that they hope to attract?
If you never visited the flea market or hadn’t visited since your father bought you that Tandy TRS-80 you were oh-so-proud to own, here’s what you missed and what I will miss forever.
The Grand Finale/Parting Gift
Realest Ate Miami 
i cannot believe i never, living so close to it, made it out there. at least saturday and sunday traffic down 37th avenue will be a bit better.
That Elio Roca LP has to be a collector’s item and the guy dancing with the doll must be 100, I have been seeing that man all over Dade County for the past 20 years and he always looked old.
I was just thinking to myself yesterday, ‘Hmmm, Adrian hasn’t posted one of his blogs in a while. I wonder why? I hope he’s not over it?!’ Ask, even internally, and you shall recieve. You did not disappoint, my friend!!! Love the pictures…truly tacky and nostalgic!
I’m sad to see it go too… 😦
The memories I have there as a child are endless. My grandmother insisted on selling everything people gave her in “el pulgero” every Sunday until maybe 6 years ago when her age got the best of her. I remember waking up at 4 am to go help her. Her motto was if you weren’t there early ” te quitavan los puestos buenos”. Thank you Adrian. This article has made my day although I think I won’t share it with Abuela. It may break her heart. ❤
Oh my GOD they closed??!! where im i gonna get my biandas from now!!!!!
Thanks so much for sharing. This reminded me so much of my father! We went there very often when I was a child. Good times.
@Maggie, think about the traffic that the casino is going to bring. NW 7 ST/37 AVE is not built for that. It’s going to me a nightmare getting through there. Once again, building things before taking care of the infrastructure.
@Nelson, the Elio Roca IS a collector’s item. His collar is popped. He was ahead of his time.
@d-, working like a mofo, but they’ll start to trickle in some more.
@Suzy, : (
@Sandra, I’m so glad I can make your day. You make mine by reading and commenting.
@IRANPEREZ, somehow I don’t think you eat viandas. What do you really use ’em for?
@Jen, I’m glad I can bring back pleasant memories. Hope you’re doing well.
Adrian, just wanted to thank you for keeping me updated on all the historical events in our city. What would we do without you? ;o)
Their lost was our gain…..if you look up high on the roof, you will see American Signs T-Shirts removing the Flagler Dog Track signs…making way for the new Magic City Casino’s, 10 foot high letters (signs). $$$$$
Tita, that is the name of the game, unos ganas y otros pierden! Sad but so true~
I didn’t grow up in Miami but remember my cousins talking about “el pulguero” and we had our own versions up in NYC.
Love it…in Miami even the mannequins got back!
OYE ADRIAN DEJA LA MARICONERIA.I EAT VIANDAS ONCE IN A WHILE WITH MY PASTA , STEAKS, FONDU, POTAJE, AND PIZZA!NOW LET ME GET BACK WITH MY ORIANTEROTIC MASSAGE , THEY LOVE ME LOOOOOOONG TIME
Amazing! sad to see it go! At least it will be back! there was no other flea market like the flagler one! I loved the days that they tried to sell boats there as well!
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So sad, why is change so needed. Bring on the new skyrise or megamall.