For several years, a non-profit that I supported had a rather large booth inside Peddlers Mall, an Eastside flea market that has seen better days and the most dominant business that still happens to be open inside a retail strip that has also seen massively better days.
A year or two ago, the non-profit closed their booth and actually closed as an organization. As a result, I've not been back to Peddlers Mall before my rather random visit today that occurred precisely because I was in the area and remembered an incense vendor here who had really great prices and I wondered if they were still around.
They were! So, I picked up a few packs of incense at $1 each and left Peddlers Mall a fairly happy camper.
If you don't know this strip center, it's the same one that also includes the free-standing Blueberry Hill, a rather blue-collar but beloved breakfast joint that is probably the nicest place in this corner.
That's not saying much.
It appears that real estate developer CBRE may have become involved with this corner - this could potentially be a good sign as it may mean some long-needed renovations may be in order. We'll have to wait and see, though I did notice a couple smaller retailers in the area seemed to have opened up shop along with one storefront ministry.
Peddlers Mall has been in this location for years. As has been noted, though I personally think overstated, it's a run-down flea market and, yes, it currently does have more vacancies than usual. I've seen very few flea markets in Indy that I would consider "clean" and I don't think that Peddlers Mall is that far out of the ordinary. That said, it certainly is run down and it sure seems like even in the time that my friend's booth has been gone it has gone somewhat downhill.
There's semi-formal accessible parking, though it's not particularly well marked. It's certainly not ADA compliant. The curb cut at the entrance is in disrepair to the point that anyone with some upper body issues will struggle a bit. Again, there's a curb cut there but it sure doesn't qualify as accessible.
There's a double doorway entry, both glass doors, and even the entryways are in some disrepair. For the most part, the aisles inside are relatively accessible - or at least wide enough for a wheelchair. However, there are certainly exceptions within booths. When my friend's booth was open, it was stellar but that was because he was very aware of accessibility and made sure of it.
The biggest reasons for the 3 star rating rather than low? The people here have always been friendly and helpful. From all that I've heard from my friend, they were good as landlords as well. While there are quite a few booths vacant right now, there's still quite the selection ranging from mattress booths (all wrapped in plastic), books/music, incense, housewares, tattoo supplies, and pretty much all the other stuff you expect from a flea market. Prices, for the most part, are reasonable.
Peddlers Mall is certainly not a destination flea market. It would be absurd to drive out of your way to visit it. The parking lot is, indeed, filled with pot holes, though you can certainly make your way through the parking lot without hitting them. This particular retail center has been neglected for years and pretty much the entire strip center looks in distress and even the buffet that used to be located across the strip center closed primarily due to rougher clientele.
However, I love my incense and for 5 bucks I got enough to last me quite a while. So, since I was in the area anyway it was worth a stop. Besides, I've had my tetanus shot. I'm good. read more