Only The Hardcore Need to Shop and Sell at the Philly Punk Rock Flea Market
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler
It’s been a Philly tradition since punk morphed with goth, much to many mohawk-loving punks dismay. But indie producers R5 Productions have created an amazing monster of food, frenzy, chaos and just general cool shit at the Philly Punk Rock Flea Market. Located at the warehouse across from the former Starlight Ballroom now District N9NE (who used to hold their own flea market sometimes and offer cheap, greasy eats with takeout beer), it’s $3 to get in with a wristband that lasts all weekend.
This past December, they decided to extend the hours to include Friday (usually it’s only Saturday and Sunday, 10-5 or whenever you’ve had enough/sold out) and was a free day that lasted late into the night. People can sell their crap at a table for $35 for a half table and $70 for a full. Parking is $10 in the lot attached to the building if you’re selling your junk/food or good luck finding street parking on your own. It’s been done before but with great patience and a horseshoe up your butt.
Pay a $3 cover to get inside and keep your wristband if you want to come back for both days as vendors tend to pick one day (although the die-hards are there all weekend).
As always, the records are to the right of the entrance. You can find some seriously rare vinyl records in pristine condition if you search hard enough.
Sick of the same old Santa Claus photo? What about a punk rock Santa Claus photo!
A table full of 80’s, 90’s memorabilia and more makes a new friend with Explore Philly. Most vendors are more than happy to oblige photos and ask you as many questions as you do about their stuff.
A 80’s pop icon table just in case you need an original Han Solo figure from Star Wars.
Hey look! Wrestlers also from the 80’s who are there to sign, pose and smile for the camera (we caught them in straight-up paparazzi style photo here).
This lovely lady from www.KDChic.com had some seriously swank and bling for all the fabulous ladies out there.
These are some killer hats with feathers, spikes and tulle for days.
And just in case, someone needs a skank hat, she’s got that covered too.
Manic Muse had some cool stones and unique necklaces.
Custom Electric Tattooing had some sweet symmetric designs on T-shirts and wall prints.
These terrariums are all the rage lately and a steal at Punk Rock Flea Market prices.
The End Times Boutique takes skulls and repurposes them into functional art, lamps and more.
Fun little signs hang to remind us that life is not so serious and sarcasm is always needed.
Our buddy Ben came back this year with something more scaleable and easy to sell. Who doesn’t love a yummy smelling recycled beer candle?
You will find lots of feminist agenda with awesomely controversial sayings on them. And no, it’s not just the women wearing them. Lots of progressive guys are rocking them too.
Toward the back of the building, there is the clothing section with handmade options like these or retro throwback items from Gucci to your grandma’s attic.
Tons of fun and campy B-Horror flick items are easy to find.
Some serious talent always appears every year.
Drunk slut cherries? Say what?!? Not pictured: some of those gingerbread men had unhappy faces.
These drunk sluts look familiar. The Pastry Prophet and her helper/bitch for the day Alex Hess were there to represent Philly DIY pastry chefs like our own writer/photographer/chef Dana Prophet. And the drunk slut cherries were a hit, so much so that we sacrificed our stash for the sake of the sale!
Because it’s hard enough to take a selfie, these spider cell phone holders can bend at any angle. It’s truly an entrepreneur’s paradise.
Painted Day of the Dead figurines are all over the place. Just find what style you like best.
OK we’re not gonna lie, this sucked us in. And it’s edited like voice to text on your cell phone (which is annoying) but this is rather endearing plus there’s kids around, so understandable. “Mommy, what’s muthafucker?” Nope!
And Mr. T says so we do with a knee (or chair) slapping good time.
Don’t let this guy’s stoic stance scare you, he’s secretly an amazing artist (or not so secret) with photos and prints.
Perfect stocking stuffers and bloody ceramic finger pipes for tobacco, naturally.
Tons of vintage finds for Philly fashionistas if you have the time to dig through, you’ll find some serious gems.
Comic book skulls for all the comic book nerds out there. There was also a mannequin covered in them too!
Your ugly sweater station, year-round. A hipster paradise with bargain bins that require deep digging.
We’re wondering if this guy meant to match his sweater. In any case, super talent with this guy circa 1970s.
Dirty dishes indeed! These gave us a giggle and some Instagram hashtag love.
We wondered if you had to spritz the moss to keep it alive or if you let it get dry and crusty? Regardless, we were in love with the LOVE statue piece.
The best T-shirt ever of Philadelphia including drug bags, a cheesesteak, gun, pretzel, cockroaches and water bugs.
One of a kind T-shirts abound. It’s easy to find any genre.
And just in case you need that Golden Girls, She-Ra or Skeletor light switch, it’s here.
We call him Indiana Jones guy and he always has the coolest antiques ever. Some ranging from $2-2,000, there’s something unique for everyone. Follow your nose to the incense, he’s in the same corner space every year.
A toy collector? There’s that too.
This lady’s got a stellar display. Don’t hide your crap, someone wants to buy it.
Memories abound with this tiny little record player.
And in case you needed some creatures in a jar, they have those too for the mad scientist types.
You can even find a bat in a cage if you need one!
Another Explore Philly friend, Steampunk Works, has some stellar stuff (including bat in cage, above). Truly, there is something for everyone. Check it out during the summer (hot as hell usually) and winter (usually pretty frigid so dress warm). Happy hunting!
May 14 – May 15
10 AM to 5 PM
THE PUNK ROCK FLEA MARKET-DOME
461 N. 9th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123
