I’m not an LA local (I’m located on the other side of the country, in fact!) but I do have family that’s located in California who I get to visit on occasion. The last time I visited, however, I did get to stop by the Arts District Co-Op. Its charming indoor location definitely stood out to me, reminding me of the majority of flea markets and vintage stores that we have back at home in Georgia.

I’m a huge proponent of secondhand goods, especially for sustainability reasons. I believe that flea markets, thrift stores, etc. are one of the best ways to promote ethical consumption as well as support lower income consumers. The flea market scene is a community that benefits everyone—from the sellers who make profit, to the consumers who obtain affordable goods, to the earth and local community around us who reap the benefits of a sustainable market. A major goal of mine in terms of contributing to this community and industry would be emphasizing the mutual benefits that it provides. At their base level, every consumer wants something, and marketing/promoting the flea market scene means guiding the consumer to the knowledge that they will be. In addition, I feel it’s significant to create an image for the flea market scene that feels timeless, contemporary, and relatable to me future generations so that they’ll seek to promote this industry for years in to come.