By Rod Lee

A visit to the Douglas Flea Market for the first time in several years is an eye opener in terms of how well the business is doing, these days—especially in the wake of a crushing pandemic.

  Situated in an historic hoop barn on Northeast Main St. just outside Douglas Center, the Bosma family’s flea market has been a popular weekend attraction in the Blackstone Valley for many years. One Facebook follower has described the merchandise arrayed on two floors and elsewhere on the grounds as “an expansive variety of vintage, antique and nostalgic with extra surprises thrown in.”

  “Expect the unexpected” is a common refrain offered by those who drop by. Many are staying longer and longer, drawn by the sheer volume of the inventory.

  Much credit for the success the Douglas Flea Market is enjoying in 2022 deservedly goes to Amy (Bosma) Dunleavy, who is carrying forward the work of her mother, Marlene Bosma, for whom the Saturday-Sunday enterprise has always been a labor of love.

 

Top “Hank’s Wall,” holds a commanding place on the second floor of the Douglas Flea Market. “Mom found the Boston Red Sox ‘B’ and it’s up there with some of my dad’s stuff,” Ms. Dunleavy said. Henry G. “Hank” Bosma died in June of 2018.

Above, Arthur Griffin with Progressive Insurance’s pitchwoman “Flo.” Mr. Griffin “is very helpful around here,” Ms. Dunleavy says.

  Marlene Bosma has not been able to be present in her usual place behind the food counter of late, but her presence is felt by dealers and customers alike.

  “My goal was to keep the bar high that she set,” Ms. Dunleavy said on the afternoon of March 20, in explaining the approach she has taken. Her methods mirror those of her mom.

  “She’s still the boss and it’s dad’s building and I have been doing it with her from the start, I know no other way,” Ms. Dunleavy said. “With everyone here, I can see the walk she walked.”

  Asked “how many dealers do you have right now?” she took a few minutes to thumb through a card catalog before the startling reveal. “Thirty-four. Thirty-four dealers. Some have one spot, some have more than one.”

  Tonia Gosselin of Sutton used to operate Tonia’s Treasures on Main Street in Douglas. “I have a spot upstairs, and two outside,” she said. “We have such a blast here.”

  Ms. Gosselin’s reference to the conviviality that prevails is echoed by other dealers.

  “I came here in October,” Joanne Lovejoy of Oxford said. “I’ve been in other locations. I started with mid-century modern and now it’s vintage, pottery, metal. I’ve been going to flea markets since I was a child. Everyone here is friendly. It’s nice to be surrounded by old things.”

“I really enjoy the companionship here,” Lisa Cora of Milford, who runs three booths, said. “It’s not about the money. It’s more of a hobby.”

“We’ve been shopping here for years but are new as dealers,” Marlene Gregory of Webster and Pat Kaczor of Barre said. “It’s a fun place.”

“I was only going to stay a few months. I’ve been here three and a half years,” Virginia Lizotte said.

Carol Fillippelli has “started small and expanded” since arriving in 2016.

Ms. Dunleavy has continued to upgrade and strengthen the business. A stabilization of the roof was undertaken a few years ago. A food truck was added—her mom’s idea. An appraiser is still available regularly. The second floor, accessed by way of an old spiral staircase, or from outside, brims with furnishings for the home or workplace. A whole new wing has been opened on that floor.

There is no admission charge. There is lots of free parking. Items are moderately priced.

“If people want it, I try to sell it to them, especially if it’s their first visit, so they’ll come back,” Ms. Dunleavy said.

Ms. Dunleavy has made steady improvements in the barn while staying true to her mom’s vision.

“I learned from the best,” she says.

Contact Rod Lee at [email protected] or 774-232-2999.