VW flea market has items at great prices

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A number of area residents enjoy flea markets, but probably didn’t realize there’s one right here in Van Wert that offers a variety of items at great prices.

Gene and Melissa Tracy operate Tracy’s Country Flea Market, which is located on the south edge of Van Wert on U.S. 127, and plan to offer many more items as the business approaches its first-year anniversary.

“We’ve got anywhere from groceries, to personal hygiene items, NASCAR collectibles, movies, games, lamps, coins, silver, all kinds of things,” Gene Tracy said of the items offered, and noted that the selection changes constantly. There is also a seamstress on hand for alterations and crocheted items.

He added that a number of independent sales representatives for Avon, Tupperware, Tastefully Simple and Sensy are also offering items for sale at the flea market.

Prices are unbeatable, Gene Tracy said, and are especially attractive for people still struggling because of the economic downturn.

“You can’t beat our prices,” he stressed, adding that the prices are lower than anywhere in town, while also stating the flea market’s guarantee that anyone who finds a grocery item or other personal hygiene item that’s out of date will get that item free.

Unlike other flea markets that have been mostly outside operations, Tracy’s Country Flea Market is inside, meaning it’s heated in winter and cool in summer, Gene Tracy noted.

In addition to the business’ one-year anniversary celebration on October 20, with free hot dogs and popcorn provided that day, the flea market is planing a special holiday craft show the day after Thanksgiving on November 24, a last-minute Christmas shopping event from 2-5 p.m. on December 22, and possibly a baseball card show the first of the year.

The business began when several people involved in a flea market held at the Van Wert Armory that went out of operation came to Gene Tracy’s father, Floyd, and asked if he would be interested in establishing a new flea market at his auction center site. The elder Tracy said he was interested and offered a building to house the flea market that he also used for coin auctions.

When Floyd Tracy and his wife retired this year, Gene Tracy was asked if he wanted to take the business over, and he agreed to do so. Currently, the younger Tracys operate the flea market, with Gene handling the day-to-day operation and his wife, Melissa, handling the financial end of the business.

In addition to “permanent” items offered for sale by the Tracys and the independent sales consultants, local residents can also rent a table and bring in items they would like to sell over a weekend.

The flea market also plans to bring in even more items down the road, including more collectibles and other merchandise.

More information on the market can be found on the Tracy’s Country Flea Market website, www.tcfmonline.com, or on Facebook.