Recession? Not at Kane County Flea Market

A national recession? Financial analysts can't agree.

Widespread layoffs and hard times? For many, definitely.

But from the look of the crowd Saturday at the Kane County Flea Market, people are still searching for a bargain.

Cars streamed into the parking lot a half-hour before the flea market opened at noon at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles. The remote lots were beginning to fill up two hours later.

"The economy hasn't stopped us," said Cheryl Thomas-Hollingsworth of Des Moines, Iowa. She was with her sister and two other relatives, all self-described "flea market connoisseurs."

"We've gone to the big flea market in Canton, Texas and this is kind of a mini version of that one," said her cousin Cheryl Thomas, also of DesMoines. "This is very nice."

Thomas had selected a braid rug which she described as a "good buy," and Thomas-Hollingsworth had purchased a stained glass piece. It was just the beginning, they said.

The four women were in town for the weekend and planned to shop at outlet stores before returning to Des Moines.

"I haven't seen any decline in business," said Kate McCorkle of Moline, Ill. McCorkle is a vendor who has made her living at shows and flea markets for 12 years.

"Last year was one of my strongest years and this year seems to be on target," she said. "I know that people are worried about the economy, but I haven't seen it yet."

McCorkle added that she "changed her business to fit the times." She sells what she calls "inexpensive collectibles," like fancy bells and figures carved from wood, thus offering buyers "a little bit of everything."

"Business was down right after 911. I don't know why," said Alan Carlson, a vendor who lives near Moline. "It picked up after about a year and a half. The economy does worry us, but we do well enough to make the trip here."

Carlson and his wife sell what he calls "retro" furniture and house wares from the 1950s and 1960s.

Although the aisles were crowded, many people were seen strolling past booths empty-handed, except for the purchase of an occasional hot dog or bag of popcorn.

There also was substantial room in many pavilions for more vendors. But Charlene House of Lockport said, "It's always this way on the July Fourth weekend. Many people are out of town."

House and her husband have been selling antiques, crafts and garden items at the Kane County Flea Market for 10 or 12 years.

"We actually enlarged our booth," House said. "I haven't seen a decline. We sell a little bit of everything. I think that's what helps."

The flea market runs from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the fairgrounds along Randall Road, between routes 64 and 38, in St. Charles. Admission is $5 for adults.