Berkeley Flea Market announces closure, hints at returning

(KRON) – An institution that has been around for five decades has seen its final days.  The Berkeley Flea Market announced its last day of operation was Sunday, June 28. 

In a letter by the organizers of the Berkeley Flea Market, it said. “This milestone [50 years] marks a moment of both reflection and celebration—five decades of vibrant exchanges, storytelling, artistry, and kinship that made our market a beloved institution.”

The flea market said the decision was not made lightly. The closure, according to the market, was due to “limited funding and ongoing challenges securing grants and volunteer support.” 

The market thanked the City of Berkeley, vendors, visitors and volunteers. 

Per the flea market’s website, it was birthed in the 1970s as an “unofficial gathering of artists and activists to foster community.”  

For those who are saddened by this news, the flea market said its goal is to return, “renewed and resilient—when the time and opportunity are right.”