by Ardeana Hamlin
of The Weekly Staff
Patty Matthews doesn’t refer to herself as an entrepreneur. She’s too down to earth for that. But she does think of herself as businesswoman who, as a grandmother, launched an enterprise in 2013 that reflects her preference for shopping at small businesses and her interest in thrift and flea markets. She is the energy behind the Krafty Flea Market open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, except Jan. 24, at the Bangor Grange hall, 1192 Ohio St.
“I started the flea market because I wanted to give people an alternative way to shop, that supports artisans and crafters, gives them an inexpensive way to vend their products, and time to network with one another,” Matthews said.
Each week at least 10 vendors set up tables at the Grange hall to offer their products for sale.
“I came to Maine from New Jersey 30 years ago, bought a home, settled in and raised my daughter. I’m retired now, but I’m helping to raise my grandchildren. I’m an average person who loves a bargain,” Matthews said.
Her goal, Matthews said, is to have an interesting mix of people and products at each flea market. Items available at the Krafty Flea Market include, but are not limited to, coins, collectibles, antiques, bakery products, jewelry, vintage knives, porcelain pottery, Coca-Cola memorabilia, crocheted items, handmade knives, upcycled jewelry crafted from broken pieces, Avon products, Scentsy products, vintage toys, and jewelry made from sea glass, stained glass and shards of pottery. There also is a vendor who does “extreme couponing” to acquire personal care items, laundry detergent and other items, which she then makes available for purchase at a reasonable cost, Matthews said.
“We also have seasonal items,” Matthews said. “It’s so much fun and it changes all the time.”
She sometimes invites small, independent distributors, such as Avon, to try vending at the flea market to see if that works for them. “I want them to be part of the economy here in Maine,” she said. “I believe in community service — Krafty Flea Market is a community — many of the vendors here can’t afford the rental fees of the regular craft shows.” She also encourages nonprofit organizations seeking to raise funds to set up at the flea market.
Table space rental rates at Krafty Flea Market are $10 for one table, $15 for two, $20 for three.
Matthews has a vision for the future of the flea market. She wants it to grow in a moderate way and to attract more customers.
She also wants to nurture the interest of young people. “Last summer,” she said, “I met a nine-year-old boy who runs what he calls his Maine zoo in front of his house. His name is Gage Moore and when he grows up he wants to be a zookeeper or a businessman. He — with his mother — is our youngest vendor. I want to encourage his interest in business.”
Holding the flea market at the Grange hall, Matthews said, is a win-win situation for both. She rents the space from the Bangor Grange, and Grange members Rolf and Ann Staples Sr. run the Grange kitchen 7 a.m.-2 p.m., serving home cooked meals, which raises funds to help keep the Grange going.
“We’re a very active Grange and have a lot going on most of the year, [fundraising] to help with the heat, lights and upkeep. In December, we collaborated with Krafty Flea to collect and deliver food and personal care items, and blankets to the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter,” Rolf Staples, Master of the Bangor Grange, said.
The Bangor Grange sponsors the Cooking Matters classes, which teaches participants about cooking and nutrition, a veterans supper and show each November, which benefits a veterans organization, and breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus each December, which benefits Make-A-Wish.
Currently, Rolf said, the Bangor Grange has 40 members. “We try to get out word about the Bangor Grange as much as we can. Want to keep the Grange alive.” Several new members have joined recently and several other inquiries about joining have come his way.
“It all helps to keep the building alive,” Matthews, who also is a Grange member, said of Krafty Flea Market. “But it’s not just about selling. I call my customers my guests. I prefer small businesses and I love thrift shops and flea markets. I can’t have a flea market unless I have fabulous vendors.”
For information, call Matthews at 947-1852 or Rolf Staples at 973-3976 or find the Bangor Grange on Facebook.