INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — No fleas were at this flea market – an annual event held at the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County – just deals and unique finds.
Shoppers lined up well before the start of the No Flea Market at the Humane Society Saturday morning – many waiting an hour or longer to get in.
One fairly early bird was recent Georgia transplant Elizabeth Guilboa, who left the market with her arms laden in bags and carrying a six-string acoustic guitar.
“It looks vintage,” Guilboa said – and for $10, “my husband can’t debate the price.”
In all, Guilboa took home $177 worth of items, including a couple purses, a picture and others.
“We just moved here,” she said. “We need stuff for our home.”
The annual No Flea Market serves as a fund-raiser for the Humane Society. The Humane Society thrift shops in Vero Beach and Sebastian, along with the newly opened All For Paws store at the Indian River Mall, keep a watchful eye for premium items to be saved especially for No Flea Market.
In two hours, more than 300 people had passed through aisle after aisle of items for sale, including books, home décor and furniture, Halloween and Christmas decorations, silver tea sets and fine china.
Vero Beach Thrift Shop employee Chris Tesh manned the entrance of to the Adoption Center, controlling the flow of shoppers coming in.
With a counter in hand, he estimated that the Humane Society would have well over 500 people come out to the market before it ended at 2 p.m.
Tesh said the last time he kept count – four years ago – they hit the 500 mark, then he lost his counter. As luck would have it, he found it Saturday morning, just before heading out to the Humane Society.
Debbie Stout braved the long line and crowds to score deals on various items.
She said she arrived at 8:15 a.m. and waited about an hour before getting into the air conditioning.
“I just wanted to help out,” Stout said. “It’s for a good cause.”
She loaded her shopping basket with several books, a box of wine glasses and a golf-themed license plate.
She wasn’t sure if she was going to put the plate on her car or use as decoration in her home.
“I’d hate for it to fall off the car,” Stout said.
The proceeds from the No Flea Market will be used to support the general operation and programs at the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County.
Items that were left over from the sale will be put out on display during the thrift shops’ Thanksgiving sidewalk sales in November.
