Is Santa Fe ready for a new flea market patterned after the long-running Trader Jack's market at the Santa Fe Opera?

A team of seasoned antiques, estate, and produce market promoters and vendors think so and have found a site for The Santa Fe Traditional Antiques, Craft, Art, and Collectibles Flea Market. It will be on the Plaza at Oshara Village on Richard Avenue.

Marketing man Walt Borton, real estate agent Sarah Cook, and Mikki Anaya, former operations director at Santa Fe Farmers Market, are among those behind the new market, which started July 12.

Besides being easily accessible, Oshara Village Plaza had the added features of being brick-paved with mature lawn and free parking. "We decided we could do a one-day event, like L.A.'s Rose Bowl Market, with pop-up tents for as many as 70 on the Oshara Plaza but also provide upwards of 80 spaces for 'tail-gate,' a major feature at the traditional flea," Borton said in an e-mail.

"Charity Way" will also be a core feature of the market. Each Sunday, eight plaza booths and eight tailgate spaces will be offered at no charge to Santa Fe area charitable organizations. "So many local charities are having difficulty raising funds in this economy," Borton said, "and we felt that by providing space for them to sell things, raise funds or promote their services, it would help ensure that the new Santa Fe Traditional Flea Market would take root as an event with a genuine community dimension."

The next market is July 19. The event will run every Sunday from 11 a.m. to
6 p.m. through Oct. 11.

A list of exhibitors, dealer prices and other information is available at www.santafetraditionalflea.com or by calling 982-2671.