Divine Sotto, administrative manager of LifeCare System Corp., formerly BizAid Saipan Inc., said the wait-list is long because so many vendors want to sell their products and wares, but space is limited.
Sotto told the Variety that the International Flea Market has about 30 vendors who rent space regularly.
“Most of the vendors have been with us since we opened that’s why we find it hard to squeeze in new vendors, but they can still come in if space allows it,” she said.
Only two vendors are allowed to sell food products — Gentle Brook Restaurant and 360 Revolving Restaurant, which are tenants of the building.
Sotto said vegetable vendors sold their produce for a couple of weeks, temporarily making the International Flea Market a one-stop shop, but they had to stop allowing vendors to sell vegetables and fresh produce.
“We don’t want to compete with the Sabalu Market,” Sotto said.
The flea market opened in October 2008, and Sotto said they did not expect it to be operational for this long.
“Initially, we planned to open the International Flea Market for only six months but the place has already become a Saturday hub for the community, a link between buyers and sellers,” Sotto said.
The night bazaar is also becoming steadily popular since it opened in February this year, although the rainy season has slowed business lately.
The night bazaar was opened to supplement the Thursday street market in Garapan and to attract not only the local community but tourists as well.
The International Flea Market opens at 9 a.m. while the night bazaar starts from 5 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m.
Sotto is inviting the community to drop by every Saturday and buy the cheapest goods on island: new or used such as house ware or kitchen ware, jewelry, electronic items, clothes, shoes, beauty products, books, toys, and everything else.
For more information, contact Sotto at 234-7626.
