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Stronger than Ever: Beloved flea market finds new home after devastating fire

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In an extraordinary turn of events, The Barn – the treasured flea market once located in Burnside, Kentucky – is set to open its doors at a new location, emerging stronger than ever after a devastating fire that destroyed its previous home.

When flames engulfed the previous location on August 5, 2023, The Barn’s vendors faced not only the loss of their stalls but the possible disintegration of their livelihoods. No one sympathized with this more than store-owner Jody Greer, who not only lost her business but her “way of life” also.

“It was hard because it didn’t just involve me, it involved 100 vendors,” she says, “so, of course, I felt responsible.”


​Even after the fire, Greer’s battle only continued, as she faced financial struggles, dealing with insurance and acquiring loans, and finding a suitable location to make The Barn’s new home. “Emotionally, physically, and mentally it took a toll on me,” Greer adds. “It seemed no matter where I turned, the doors were always closed.”

However, Greer’s resilience and the outpouring of support from the community paved the way for a new beginning, which Greer claims is when “God started opening doors.” Recommended by a previous vendor, she discovered the vacant building that was once a Family Dollar in Eubank Plaza. Then through the financial support of friends and family, Greer was able to acquire it and begin anew.

Through persevering trials and setbacks, Greer found a renewed sense of community with her vendors, which has become a driving force behind the revival of The Barn, exemplifying the spirit of resilience that defines this close-knit community.

“I’ve had vendors sleep in the parking lot with me, night after night. We slept in the parking lot the whole month of August,” says Greer, reminiscing what followed after the fire. “If it hadn’t been for some of my vendors, I would’ve lost my mind. My vendors brought us food, they sat and chit-chatted with us, and they cried and prayed with us. When I was about to give up, it was my vendors that would be like, ‘Jody, don’t give up. God’s got a door.’”

These “doors” only continued opening one after the other, as the store-owner found herself swept away by the community’s outreach and support. For instance, the business has received a mass donation of shelves, display cases, and pallets — the vast majority of which have been used to construct around forty 10-foot-by-8-foot booths.

In addition to the usual flea market layout, Greer intends on adding a “Burn Wall” dedicated to calamity brought by the fire. This section will include several burnt items from the previous location and a poem that memorializes the tragic event.

The grand reopening, scheduled for February 1, is eagerly anticipated by vendors and patrons alike. As the Barn prepares to open its doors at the new location, the collective efforts of vendors, the unwavering support of the community, and the faith that sustained them all serve as a reminder that even in the wake of tragedy, hope and determination can pave the way for a remarkable comeback.

“It’s because God is opening up doors for us that makes me feel like I’ve made the right choice being here,” adds Greer.

To find out more information on store details and booth availability, The Barn is located at 10275 North U.S. 27 in Eubank or can be contacted by calling (606)-379-BARN (2276).
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Mayumi Flea Market
Handcrafted goods, courtesy of AAPI makers


From a chef, personal trainer, DJ, to even a corporate job in sales and marketing — Mayumi "Kat" Matutina has done "all kinds of stuff" before deciding to start a small business selling candles and organic cosmetics five years ago.

"I hand-make everything," Matutina said. But making the products is just the first step; finding an audience is another gig in itself, which led her to hit up different flea markets around Los Angeles to grow her brand.

What Matutina couldn't have anticipated is that she would start her own flea — one that's centered around Asian Amerian and Pacific Islander artists and creators and, just as importantly, around having an awesome good time.

"My friends always say that Mayumi Market is like the hot girls market. It's all like Asian bad bitches and all cool," she said.


The fleas

Flea markets are such a thing in L.A. that they are staples in guide books and on best-of lists. The granddaddy of them all is arguably the Rose Bowl Flea Market, which started in 1968 and has since welcomed, on average, 20,000 visitors every second Sunday of the month.

There are also the Silverlake Flea, the Los Feliz Flea, Melrose Trading Post, the Santa Monica Airport Antique Market, the PCC Flea Market and so many more that cater to those looking for something unique, antique, or just plain useful and cheap.

The flea that inspired Matutina to strike out on her own was Black Market Flea.

"It's a huge market, and it's all black creators, black music — DJs, art, everything. And so I thought that was amazing," Matutina said. "And so I was like, that would be cool if there was an Asian version of this because there's so many different Asian people in Southern California."

Mayumi Market

The opportunity came in May this year when a community space in Glendale asked Matutina for her ideas to celebrate AAPI Month. With that, Mayumi Market was born in the nonprofit's back parking lot, featuring 30-some vendors she curated.

"Most of my vendors sold out within the first hour or two and we still had like six hours to go," Matutina said. "So many vendors tell me that was the best one they had ever done in their life, so I just wanted to keep doing it."

By its next pop-up in July, Mayumi Market had moved to Common Space Brewery, in Hawthorne, for its warehouse feel and large outside patio. Some 1,600 people showed up to that event — a number that jumped to 2,000 in September — to check out the handcrafted goods from more than 40 vendors. And not to mention, to soak in the scene with a live DJ, get inked by a tattoo artist, or learn the art of mahjong from Mahjong Mistress.


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Thieves arrested after stolen bike shows up for sale on flea market app


OSAKA, JAPAN

Police in Izumi, Osaka Prefecture, have arrested two high school students, aged 16 and 17, on suspicion of stealing an electric bicycle and then attempting to resell it on a flea market app.

According to police, the bike owner, a 39-year-old man who lives in Kishiwada City, saw his bike, which was stolen in early November and valued at 190,000 yen, listed on the app and pretended to be an interested buyer, Kyodo News reported. After exchanging messages with the suspects via the app, he notified police.

Police traced the bike to a housing complex in Izumi and staked out the building. The 17-year-old boy who lived in an apartment there was arrested Tuesday. The other boy was arrested later in the day.  

Additionally, police said they found five other stolen electric bicycles at both boys’ homes.

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