San Marcos Price Center Announces Premiere Of 4th Flea Expansion, San Mercado

“The best pop-up markets – Flea or otherwise – we’ve hosted over the past few years at the Center are the ones that have included art, live music, and a variety of goods and products,” said Clay DeStefano, executive director.

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On Wednesday, Oct. 31, after successfully operating the 4th Flea every month for over two years, the Price Center is expanding the concept and focus of the market with a new name, longer hours, live music, more arts and multi-cultural activities and vendors.

The 4th Flea market is held on the fourth Saturday of every month. According to the center, San Mercado will premiere during the annual Shop Small Saturday events on Nov. 24. The market will be open from 9 AM to 4 PM inside and outside the Price Center in downtown San Marcos.

“The best pop-up markets – Flea or otherwise – we’ve hosted over the past few years at the Center are the ones that have included art, live music, and a variety of goods and products,” said Clay DeStefano, executive director. “The goal of the reboot is to intentionally expand the beyond the Flea Market concept so that more local artists, makers, small entrepreneurs, and especially San Marcos’ large Hispanic and Indigenous communities have affordable, accessible and ongoing opportunities to display and sell their wares to a larger downtown market,” he added.

San Mercado booths will retain the same pricing as the 4th Flea; additionally, a grant from the San Marcos Arts Commission will allow the price center to offer artists, makers and Hispanic-and-Indigenous-themed vendors a 25 percent off the price of a booth.

San Mercado vendors expected to participate will feature a wide array of gift items, custom artwork, one-of-a-kind creations, unique junk and more. Entertainment for the Nov. 24^th premiere of San Mercado will feature Tracy Weinberg and Friends live from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  and a kid-focused Karaoke-style Community Sing-Along will take place from 2-4 p.m.

The Sing-Along will also feature clowns and a kids’ yoga session. Mercado visitors and vendors are encouraged to plan to take in the many small downtown shops and stops that will also be participating in Shop Small Saturday.  

Admission to the Mercado is free and open to all. The Price Center will also be offering a variety of drinks and treats for $1 donations, including coffee, soft drinks and water. Those interested in participating can find out more about San Mercado and its booth pricing by calling 512-392-2900, stopping by the center, which is open Monday thru Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM or by visiting price-center.org.

Vendor spaces are filled on a first come, first served basis and advanced registration is advised. Participants will need to bring their own tents, tables and necessary display equipment. Set up is from 8 AM to 9 AM on the day of the event.  A limited number of ‘6 tables are available for rent.

Proceeds from booth rentals benefit the Price Center, which is operated by the Greater San Marcos Area Seniors Association (GSMASA), a 501 (c) 3 non-profit.