How John Mower Started the Flea Market in 1977

 

 

       We celebrate our 45^th year in flea marketing this year.  As we get ready to open up again at the corner of Deanies Alley and Maple Lane in Woodstock, N.Y., join us as we look back at our many years in business by posting highlights of Janine Fallon- Mower’s history of the Mower family of Woodstock, N.Y.  This book, American Tapestry, the Mowers of Maple Lane,  includes the history of the first twenty-five years of Mower’s flea market.  The book is available though the author for $ 15.00.  Contact Janine at woodstockfleamarket@hvc.rr.com or stop by the flea market and purchase one there.

       " Mower’s Saturday Market on Maple Lane began over 30 years ago when there became a need for a new venue at which to hold the traditional market fairs. Ralph Tripico, an antique dealer who operated a booth at the Woodstock Playhouse Saturday market fair site approached John in the spring of 1974 about renting the vacant lot on Maple Lane for an antique market.  

          After careful consideration, John had a contract drawn up by local lawyer Richard Anthony. The markets opened that summer under Tripico’s management and ran on Saturdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Ralph and his wife eventually decided to move to the Virginia Beach area to be near family and open an antique shop. John, now seeing the merits of having the income to cover the property expenses, indicated his interest in continuing the market.  At first, it looked like it would be a challenge to create a vendor list. As luck would have it, Bill Lubinsky, Woodstock Festival Tee Shirt was very interested in having the markets continue in Woodstock and offered to help contact potential vendors. John and Bill shook hands and Bill declared;

Figure 1 John and Janine Mower with Bill Lubinsky in the back row. Robert Depew Reynolds, kneeling. Allan and Colleen Mower, center.

 “Well, John, now you are in the flea market business”

        John Mower began renting spaces to sellers of everything under the sun in 1977 on the lot of land that was purchased by his great grandfather, Walter Mower in 1907.  Vendors attending numbered about 20 in the early years and were set up along Deanies Alley, under the stately pine trees that the France boys used as their summer time camp site in the mid 1950’s. Parking for customers and vendors was in the lot below the property. John made arrangements with old friend Deanie Elwyn to rent this lot on Deming Street for a nominal annual fee. Eventually, the old “Pinball Palace” building and lot were sold and the rental agreement was dissolved. With input from the town planning board, John decided to move the vendors off the alley and deeper into the field.                                                                                   

Excerpt from American Tapestry, the Mowers of Maple Lane, Janine Fallon Mower- Anam Cara Press Woodstock NY, 2007    Available from the author email woodstockfleamarket@hvc.rr.com