BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
CRUM, W.Va. — Entrepreneurs in Wayne County found a way to use an unfinished section of a 4-lane highway that led to nowhere. They started a swap meet/flea market where vendors set up at no cost, soon filling their community with more visitors than they imagined.
Over the past few years, residents of the Crum-Dunlow area and all along Route 52 have passed around ideas about boosting their local economy by providing a needed service to Wayne, Mingo and surrounding areas. Several locals shared a desire to create a place to host a farmers market/livestock and farm equipment swap meet, but several locations they thought may work did not pan out.
In May, Russell Dale Perry and Patrick Fluty, successful farmers respected among their peers, neighbors and county officials, decided it was time to see their dreams become reality. The two held a community meeting, inviting everyone to participate in their project. The first meeting only attracted a small crowd. However, interest quickly grew once the planning phase kicked into gear for a swap meet/flea market on the Crum Bypass Road that had been part of a larger highway project that never came to fruition in the early ‘90s.
The group has sponsored three open markets at the location, with the number of attendees growing in leaps and bounds.
“The second flea market that was held more than doubled our numbers from the first one,” stated Perry. “The one we held Aug. 5 surpassed our wildest dreams, with more than five times the previous numbers of individuals coming out to see what we’re all about.”
The Crum Community Swap Meet is open on the first and third Saturday of the month. Vendors from various locations across the Tri-State area have traveled to set up and peddle their wares, offering a wide variety of items, including farm and domestic animals, produce, prepared snacks, drinks and ready-to-serve meals, homemade crafts, apparel, hunting and fishing supplies, farm equipment, jewelry, soaps, lotions and candles and much more.
“We’ve also had people coming to set up their yard sale items and used furniture,” said Perry. “I think the largest draw is that we don’t charge a fee to set up, but you are required to provide your own tables and chairs. You are responsible for gathering and properly disposing of any litter and garbage in your section. We also ask, if possible, that vendors donate $5 to go toward the cost of the rental fee for a port-a-potty. We have purchased one that was used but are still renting the second one now.”
Although setup time posted on the group’s official Facebook page, “Community Strong Crum Bypass Swap Meet,” is 7-8 a.m., Perry said some vendors were there as early as 5-6 a.m. Aug. 5 to ensure a good spot.
“We start seeing customers arrive around 8 a.m., and we have vendors that start shutting down around 12:30 to 1:30 in the afternoon, while some opt to stay longer,” explained Perry. “It all depends on the products they’re selling, what the weather is like and if they are making money.”
When asked about the fall schedule for the swap meet, Perry said plans are to keep it going through November unless temperatures drastically drop.
“If we have milder temperatures through the month of December, we’d love to hold the event close to the holidays so those who sell Christmas crafts and gift ideas would have a chance to make a larger profit.”
According to Perry, other ideas for the location in the planning stage include a farm equipment auction, a holiday event and a possible fall festival.
For more information on the swap meet or to become a vendor, contact Perry at 304-638-3967.
“This Saturday, Aug. 19, will be our fourth flea market. We are hoping for and expecting the largest number of visitors to date,” said Perry. “We hope everyone who hears about us will plan to come out and spend a day looking at everything our vendors offer while seeing familiar faces and making new friends. If you want to be a vendor, just show up and claim your spot.”
