Love a good flea market? There’s nothing quite like wandering stall to stall in the sunshine, discovering things you didn’t know you needed or maybe finding a great deal on something you’ve always wanted, but genuine flea market spirit has gotten harder to find. Happily, we know where to get some: Head to Midtown Kingston when the Red Owl Flea is up and running—from 9 am till 4 pm on the first Sunday of every month. Vintage virtuoso Cindy Hoose breathed new life into midtown Kingston’s Wonderly Building back in August 2023, when Red Owl Collective opened its doors with 20 artful vendors’ wares on display. By October, she had over twice that many and a waiting list. There are now over 80, and the market is flourishing.
Hoose has clearly found her calling. “I don’t think I ever had a detailed plan of what I wanted to do with my life,” she told us in 2024. “I knew I wanted to be happy and creative and surround myself with beauty. And I grew up going to yard sales and rummage sales with my mom. I love unique objects and clothing and enjoy the thrill of the hunt. I have always shopped vintage, and I love buying and selling vintage.”
10,000-square-foot space, the dream was infused with intention and detail. Hoose researched and investigated every vintage and antique mall she could reach; talked to shoppers, vendors and managers; and established what she considered essential elements: careful curation, a requirement that vendors keep their offerings fresh, a website where vendors could showcase their offerings, and a point-of-sale checkout system that simplifies the experience for shoppers and vendors alike.
“I love unique objects and clothing and enjoy the thrill of the hunt. I have always shopped vintage, and I love buying and selling vintage.” – Owner, Cindy Hoose
It didn’t hurt that there was plentiful free parking. On the first Sunday of every month from April to November, a chunk of that parking will be filled with flea market stalls. (Don’t worry, you can still park for free in a municipal lot right across the street.) “It’s great fun, just a real blast of happy energy,” Hoose says. “The initial concept of the flea was always part of the vision of Red Owl. The flea coordinator, Steph De John, also part of the Red Owl team, has infused it with her own magic. Steph is running the nuts and bolts of the market, curating the offerings from among the applicants every month."
You’ll find over 25 outdoor vendors offering a fresh selection of vintage, antiques, books, vinyl, oddities, jewelry, handmade, and more every time. “It’s about a 50/50 mix of vintage and handmade,” Hoose says, “so it’s a little bit of a different vibe from inside, which is mostly vintage. You’ll find a couple of higher-end vendors in the mix—maybe some fine jewelry—but the price range is incredibly wide. We aim to keep it accessible so anyone can find some cool discoveries. And you’ll be dealing directly with the person who makes or collects the merchandise, so it has a bit more of a freewheeling vibe for wheeling and dealing.
“It’s about a 50/50 mix of vintage and handmade,” Hoose says, “so it’s a little bit of a different vibe from inside.” – Owner, Cindy Hoose
It is curated, and it has a bit of a maker's market experience, but by no means is everything expensive.” Each month will bring a new batch of vendors, chosen by an application process in order to provide a unique balanced experience at each flea. “We try to hit the sweet spot where you’ll find cool vintage and handmade in a variety of styles, without having to dig through dirty and dusty boxes.”
“It’s curated, and it has a bit of a craft fair vibe, but by no means is everything expensive.” Owner, Cindy Hoose
The Red Owl Flea has its own Instagram page, where you can find sneak peeks of the curations and creations in advance. Come for a browse, then check out some of the mouthwatering eateries in Midtown these days, and follow up with a stroll along the Strand—hey, we may have just designed the perfect Kingston afternoon. Happy treasure hunting!
red owl collective flea
25 Cornell Street, Kingston
845-481-4675
redowlcollective.com/red-owl-flea
