After four decades of bargain hunting, family outings and small businesses, the Pecan Park Flea & Farmers Market closed its gates for the final time Sunday.
For shoppers like Tamisha and Jerome Roundtree, the market was part of their routine. The couple would travel from Georgia about every other Sunday to look for deals, car parts and other items they could find at the Northside market.
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Sunday was their final visit.
“It’s a real shock. It really is the last day,” Roundtree said. “People have so much stuff here. You never know what to score.”
Roundtree said they were looking for a washing machine for their daughter, who recently moved into an apartment for college. Jerome, who has worked as an auto mechanic for 48 years, also found tools and parts at Pecan Park.
“The price, stuff, just trying to bargain. I have a lot of good deals here,” Roundtree said.
The market opened 40 years ago and grew to include more than 700 vendor stalls. Over the years, it became a regular destination for shoppers looking for everything from clothing and appliances to collectibles and hard-to-find items.
For vendors, the market also became a place to build relationships.
One vendor who had been at Pecan Park for 13 years said the closure was difficult.
“We so sad. We will miss the vendors.”
Bill, who had been a vendor for nine years, said the friendships he made at the market are what he will remember most.
“All my friends that I’ve met out here. And all the people that buy stuff.”
Donald Moore, who sold clothing, shoes, appliances and jewelry, had been at the market for about a year and a half. He said the affordable booth rent and friendly vendors made Pecan Park a good place to do business.
For Cynthia and Fred Giralli, who opened their vintage shop at the market about eight months ago, Pecan Park was also a place for family time. Their son, Joseph, operates a collectibles store across the street.
“The whole point was for them to kind of see this together … and have family quality time,” Phizian Giralli said.
The property was sold earlier this year for $8.55 million to a partnership linked to the Butler family. It is expected to become an automobile dealership.
Vendors were allowed to continue operating through this month and have until Oct. 31 to remove their property from the market. The entrance gate will be closed on weekends in October, and the property will no longer be accessible after October.
For shoppers, though, Sunday was less about what comes next and more about saying goodbye to a Jacksonville tradition.
“We’re gonna miss them a lot,” Roundtree said.
