Sears Centre parking lots to host Sunday flea markets

Wanting to get more use of the village-owned facility, the Hoffman Estates village board approved hosting an outdoor flea and farmers market at the Sears Centre's parking lots.

The market will be held 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays, June 13-Nov. 7, according to searscentremarket.com, a website run by the market's organizers and separate from the building's management.

Ben Gibbs, the building's general manager, said Monday he thinks fans attending Sunday events inside the arena will be attracted to the open-air market; although as of Tuesday there were no Sunday events besides the market listed on the arena calendar for the duration of the flea market.

Gibbs said the organizers have experience with flea markets in surrounding communities, which have been successful.

Trustee Cary Collins remained concerned about the sale of secondhand goods and the possible sale of illegal drugs. He cast the only vote against the flea market and said he's seen bad flea markets before. Collins, an attorney, even made the case if someone were to sell the drugs on village property, that the village could held liable.

"Some are nice, but they can get real bad, real quick," he said.

Gibbs said he wants to keep the market first class and said the sale of illegal drugs was "clearly not in our vision."

The village wants to establish two vending licenses for the flea market. The first would cost up to $500 for up to 100 vendors per season and the other for $1,000 for 100 vendors or more.

While the market's website stated flea market season would end on Nov. 7, Gibbs said it would close by Nov. 1. The board will vote on the matter again next week.