Flea Market Taking Former Bristol Walmart Location For Winter

A popular flea market company is opening inside the closed Walmart location in Bristol Borough.

In social media postings and in an email blast this week, Phila Flea Markets announced they will be setting up shop inside the Walmart location on Commerce Circle that closed in fall 2017. The flea market will open Saturday, January 4 and be open Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. through March or April.

Tony Soprano, the marketing coordinator for Phila Flea Markets, told LevittownNow.com, said the company is excited to be opening in the location for the winter. He said there may even be some outdoor shopping events as the weather gets nicer.

Phila Flea Markets had looked at the space two years ago but Walmart’s existing lease that continued despite the store closing created a roadblock.

“Brixmor (a commercial real estate firm) said the lease was up in November,” he said.

The flea market will feature antique and vintage, used and household, new and handmade, and punk rock sections. The flea market also interested in adding food vendors.

Phila Flea Markets, which operates a popular market at the Roosevelt Mall and Penns Landing in Philadelphia, was pleased that the former Walmart space in Bristol was so well kept.

“Walmart left the building in top shape. All the outlets work, and it’s so clean you could eat off the floor,” said Soprano, who jokingly acknowledged he was around long before the TV character with whom he shares a name.

Soprano said crews were out this week preparing the building and complying with local ordinances to upgrade the safety systems. He said working with the borough has been fantastic.

Phila Flea Markets is seeking vendors for the upcoming opening and are offering introductory rates.

The flea market’s deal for the property is not long term and there has been no announcement on what could take the spot for years to come.

While there have been plenty of rumors about the future of the property since Walmart left, no long-term tenant has been found. In spring, there were some discussions that a grocery store was eyeing the property.

Since anchor store Walmart closed, the shopping center has lost several other stores and presently has about seven open storefronts with Aaron’s just recently closing.

Soprano said the flea market will create some excitement in the shopping center and draw shoppers.

For more information on the flea market and vendor spaces, visit Phila Flea Markets’ website.