 We’ve
all heard the old adage: One man’s trash is another man’s
treasure. It’s an expression that sisters Kate Shifrin
and Christie Weller of Come Flea With Me, a business built
around the art of navigating the ins and outs of flea markets,
certainly seem to agree with.
However, the very thought of how to unearth such prizes can
be overwhelming, particularly to a beginner. That’s something
that both sisters seek to remedy.
“We try to help them find what they’re looking
for,” Shifrin says of their business’ purpose.
Weller agrees, explaining that, “some people need help
finding pieces and learning how to negotiate.” Others,
she continued, need assistance in understanding the value
and time frame of the piece.
In the end, their ultimate goal is simple: demystifying flea-ing
for everyone.
How It Works
Born into a flea marketing family, the idea for Come Flea
With Me was a result of the constant invitations both sisters
received to accompany friends on flea market outings. The
timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Having just made the
decision to go into business with one another, crafting a
business where they could share their flea market knowledge
and expertise suddenly seemed the perfect route. More importantly,
it’s a challenge that both Shifrin and Weller genuinely enjoy,
taking on both novice and expert flea-ers alike.
“We get all different types,” Shifrin notes of
their customers. “We get rookies who have never been
before. Others who are simply looking for camaraderie and
transportation.”
With six to eight scheduled trips a year in their home state
of Illinois, Shifrin and Weller pack a bus of 20 people before
heading off for a day at the flea markets. The price of a
trip includes transportation, admission to the flea markets,
a warm, home-baked breakfast, snacks and all the advice and
knowledge they can give.
But their services aren’t limited to Illinois alone. The
sisters travel across the country for weekend trips, sometimes
for private parties and corporations who are eager to join
in. Since its inception, Come Flea With Me has even gone international,
hitting the flea markets in Paris, with plans to visit London
in the near future.
A Growing Trend
Regardless of their location, one thing seems to remain constant:
their clients are always in search of unique pieces. In other
words, something you wouldn’t find in any department store
or catalog.
Lately, the popularity of one trend in particular has taken
their notice. Both sisters have found that the growing awareness
of the green movement, coupled with the idea of sustainability,
has begun to reflect in the customers they meet. “We
see more and more customers that would like to pick something
up that doesn’t have as much of an impact on the environment,”
says Weller.
“Our customers also love the carpooling idea,”
Shifrin points out. “Even though we take a bus, we do
take 20 people at a time.”
And they’re not alone.
While Shifrin and Weller might be the only ones to actually
take their clients out into
the field, there are certainly plenty of other companies who
are now offering similarly recycled pieces.
Etsy.com, a website where thousands of artists operate virtual
galleries and stores, is home to recycled furniture, jewelry
and just about anything else you can imagine. Simply searching
"recycled furniture" alone brings up a whole number
of options—perfect for those who want to do a little
treasure hunting from the comfort of their own home.
And then there are other companies, such as Eco-artware.com,
who actually create new pieces out of old. So if you thought
that a “One Way” street sign had only one purpose
in life, think again. On Eco-Artware.com, artists have managed
to create everything and anything—including chairs, tables
and more—from everyday materials.
Old Treasures, New Memories
But for those willing to put aside an afternoon in pursuit
of their next big find, Shifrin and Weller believe the time
is well spent. After all, it’s not simply a piece of furniture
or jewelry that you’ll be walking away with.
“What you find is something that now has a memory attached,”
explains Weller.
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WINNER
- Website of the Year 
