Jamie's Flea Market 50th Anniversary

A big anniversary quietly came and went a few weeks ago. Jamie's Flea Market in South Amherst celebrated the 50th Anniversary of its opening on Wednesday July 31, 1974.

Who doesn't love Jamie's Flea Market? For years, I was out there almost every Saturday morning, looking for vintage postcards, comic books, old toys, cereal box premiums and other collectibles. It was the thrill of the hunt that was fun, never knowing what I might find. (I bought so many things at Jamie's over the years, I could have my own booth there!)

A few months ago I had the pleasure of speaking with Lorna Ingersoll (at right), General Manager of Jamie's Flea Market in preparation for an article I wrote for Leisure Living magazine. One of the things that she told me was pretty surprising – everyone has been pronouncing the name incorrectly for 50 years!

Lorna ought to know. Her grandparents Bill and Martha Jamie were the ones who opened the flea market. Lorna pointed out, “It’s pronounced ‘Ja-May.’ But because of the spelling, it was just easier to go with “Jamie’s” and not correct people every time.”

So how did Jamie's Flea Market get started?

“In the early 60's my Grandfather Bill Jamie started an auction house in the east building,” said Lorna. “He later added furniture and carpet. After visiting a flea market, he decided to turn the auction house into one in 1974. He built the center building and moved the furniture and carpet store into it."

Here's a Journal ad from July 7, 1974. As you can see, the furniture business was about to move, making way for the flea market that would open later that month.

Before the flea market opened, the Journal ran some teaser ads, like the one below from July 5, 1974.

Finally, the flea market opened on July 31, 1974.

Lorna explained why her grandfather had to construct additional buildings. "As the flea market grew, he built the west building and moved the furniture and carpet into it," she said. "The center building then became more flea market space.” Today the flea market’s indoor space is made up of the east and center buildings.

It's great that Lorna is still involved with the business her grandparents started, even though it is no longer owned by her family. As she explained, Bill and Martha Jamie sold the flea market to their daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Stan Ingersoll (Lorna’s parents) in 1976. The Ingersolls then ran the flea market until health reasons unfortunately forced them to sell. Ralph and Lolita Mock bought it in 1983, and Lorna stayed on as an employee. Owner Ralph Mock made her General Manager in 1996, and she’s been proud to keep her grandfather’s original dream alive.

Believe it or not, Lorna noted that online auctions like eBay have not hurt Jamie's. People still like to come out and shop, looking for bargains or hard-to-find collectibles. Food trucks give it a festive atmosphere as well.

But Lorna confessed to me that retirement can be tempting sometimes. However, she loves what she does and uses social media well to promote Jamie's.

What does the future hold for the beloved Lorain County business? 

“Jamie's Flea Market will continue to be the best flea market around, bringing buyers and sellers together, and providing a fun shopping experience for everyone,” says Lorna.

Jamie’s Flea Market is open 8 am to 4 pm, Wed & Sat. It’s located at 46388 Telegraph Rd. (State Route 113) in South Amherst, OH 44001. Visit its website at www.jamiesfleamarket.com