Good bye thrift store, hello Whitehorse Flea Market

Organizers of a new flea market starting up in Whitehorse are hoping to fill a gap that will be left by this week's shuttering of the Salvation Army thrift store. 

"There's definitely a void at the moment for used gear, used equipment, used things," says Patrick Jackson, Whitehorse Flea Market organizer and owner of the sports consignment store Changing Gear. 

Sarah Preiksaitis of Zero Waste Yukon is thrilled with the news. She says since the thrift store announced in March that it was closing, people have been asking her where they should take things. 

"The community, I think, will be really excited, especially with what he has envisioned."

Twelve flea markets are planned for the summer, starting May 6th.

Jackson's hoping for a diverse mix of vendors, from "garage sale types" to artisans, food and produce vendors to "Billy who loves to engrave hubcaps." 

"Come grab a coffee, something to eat, wander around, find a few treasures. That kind of atmosphere," he said. 

Humane society gets proceeds 

After the first market, 10 per cent of proceeds from table rental fees and other income will go to Humane Society of Yukon, which runs the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter. 

Jackson says the humane society will also accept donations of items the vendors don't sell.

"They [vendors] can come with stuff, and leave with nothing," he explained. 

The markets will be outdoors and indoors, in a 3,000 square foot space, at Changing Gear on the Alaska Highway.