By Hannah Massey
The first-ever nighttime flea market in College Park attracted hundreds of University of Maryland students and local residents on Saturday, April 13.
The event, Night Flea, took place on the plaza of 7401 Baltimore Ave. and featured seven vendors, a live DJ and various activities. It was organized jointly by Retro Boomin, a student-owned thrift store, and Shop Made in Maryland, a retail space dedicated to showcasing the work of over 120 Maryland-based designers, artists and makers.
Retro Boomin is a men’s vintage clothing store, with a mission to “give every thread a second life,” said Ethan Pham, a senior information science major and owner of Retro Boomin. Their pieces are currently available every other Wednesday at the UMD Farmers Market.
“The primary goal was to offer students a more sustainable shopping alternative,” said Pham.
UMD is located in a vibrant area but offers limited low-cost clothing options for students. Local stores with university apparel are often too expensive for student budgets and Pham said this pushes students toward online fast fashion.
“Within walking distance of the campus, there are only about five clothing stores, and just three sell University of Maryland apparel, which often exceeds students’ budgets,” Pham said. “I aim to provide a sustainable option that is also accessible online.”
Gabby Brinkhoff, assistant manager at Shop Made in Maryland, expressed her enthusiasm about the student engagement at the event.
“It’s wonderful to see students thriving and supporting local artists,” said Brinkhoff.
Brinkhoff said their store will soon feature a special section to showcase the creative work of students and alumni from the university, called Shop UMD.
Teria Walters, owner of Making It Hers, participated as a vendor at the event. Her company celebrates influential women through a collection of recognizable signature looks. Her merchandise includes pins, stickers, earrings, posters, tote bags and more.
“You can never celebrate women enough,” Walters said.
In 2018, 14.5 million tons of textiles were landfilled and incinerated in the United States, and according to the Environmental Protection Agency, clothing was the main source of this waste. Shopping second-hand can significantly reduce the environmental impact associated with the manufacturing and disposal processes of new goods.
“I almost exclusively buy second-hand clothes. It’s refreshing to see so many students shop second-hand,” said Mitchie Sigler, a junior majoring in vocal performance.
Featured Image: Night Flea on Baltimore Avenue. Photo by Hannah Massey.
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