Charlotte’s open-air market reopens in Uptown this Saturday — but its future is uncertain

The open-air flea market will open Saturday on 7th Street, between Brevard and Caldwell, on Uptown parking lots owned by developer Daniel Levine. Negotiations are ongoing for a long-term, potentially “even more exciting” venue, city council member Tariq Bokhari said. It could be announced as soon as next week.

• “If that doesn’t happen, we will be troubleshooting one weekend at a time to make sure there isn’t another weekend without a flea market,” Bokhari said.

Why it matters: The open-air market was a livelihood for hundreds of vendors since it opened in 2015 at the former Eastland mall site. For nearly six months, vendors, many of whom are immigrants, have gone without any income from the market.

Yes, but: Some vendors are wary that they’re being used during an election cycle. Bokhari, a Republican who is up for reelection, and other GOP candidates held a press conference in the rain Wednesday afternoon to announce the market’s new location.

• Héctor Vaca, a member of the Central Flea Market board of directors, said he asked candidates not to hold a press conference until details were finalized and understood by all vendors, but they held the event anyway. (Bokhari told Axios in response that Vaca has no bearing over his announcements, only learned of his concerns after and that he would move forward with the vendors who show up.)
• Vaca also said he wants an attorney representing the vendors to review the terms and rental prices for the to-be-announced, long-term location while the search continues for a permanent home.

Plus, some vendors have been setting up anywhere they can throughout the city and already made commitments for this Saturday.

• “They are afraid to lose their customers if they move to Uptown Charlotte for one weekend only, and what about the following weekend, you know?” exotic fruit vendor Jorge Castaneda said.
• Bokhari said more than 50 vendors had already signed up as of Thursday afternoon.

Catch up fast: In February, a city representative and CMPD abruptly shut down the market to the vendors’ surprise, Axios’ Laura Barrero reported. The lease with the organizers had expired, and construction begins soon on a large mixed-use development on the city-owned site.

• Assistant city manager Brent Cagle told council during its Monday meeting that staff has struggled to find another site large enough — at least 1 acre, but preferably 5 — to accommodate the number of vendors at Eastland.

Driving the news: Bokhari vowed Monday night to find a new spot within 60 days. “I just took a big risk,” he said afterward.

• His pledge came after several people spoke during council’s public comment period about the financial burden of the market shuttering. Castaneda said he had to throw out $20,000 in merchandise and is now late on payments for the truck he uses to run his business.
• At one point, council member Renee Perkins Johnson motioned to allow vendors to resume sales at the Eastland property until it is “absolutely needed” for the construction project — but council member Ed Driggs cautioned against hasty action. She couldn’t add the item to the agenda without unanimous support.
• Several council members offered ideas, such as asking the county for help or splitting the market up into smaller sites across the city.

Details: The first weekend is free for vendors to set up shop and free for customers to park.

• Vendors can register for free here.
• It’s open to the public from 9am until 2pm.