Lindsay Brandt
The Eyler Stables in Thurmont now hosts weekend flea markets. The idea for opening the stables for weekend markets was that of owner, Niki Eyler, and her friend, Emily Kemp, who has been working a similar operation in Virginia.
The Eyler Stables property has been in the Eyler family for generations. Eyler’s great-grandparents started the facility in 1933, and it was then handed down to her grandparents, then to her father, and now to Niki, who was born and raised on the property. She took over the management of it in 1999. “This facility was just sitting empty for most of the month, and I just really wanted something else going on here,” Eyler said.
Eyler stated that the grand opening of the market was held on October 3, 2014. The market has had a good response from the community. Eyler recalls, “On the first day, we were going to close at 3:00 p.m., but I was here until a quarter after eight. People just kept milling in and looking around, and I was like, ‘well, just hang out, look around!’ It was great. I had two people who just came to browse and actually want to rent vendor space!” (Both indoor and outdoor are available.)
Eyler’s goal is to have as many vendors as possible. She hopes to fill the outdoor space and grow that portion of the flea market. She states that the property could hold limitless vendors, but easily accommodates over a hundred.
The flea market will ultimately sell anything and everything. “Most vendors are local; I have some people from Pennsylvania who have some things consigned, as well as from Virginia. We have some outdoor vendors who come from the tri-state area who will set up during the weekends.”
Among the many things Eyler has put up for sale, three small vases that she has acquired stick out to her. When she bought them, she discovered the items had pieces of paper stuck in them. When she pulled out the note in the first vase, she read, “Vase is given to Nancy, 1945.” Eyler then pulled the second vase closer, pulling out a second piece of paper, which read, “In remembrance for Nancy on her second birthday, from Mrs. Dudrear.” The third vase, and the last piece of paper, contained the information on Mrs. Dudrear’s obituary. “I just thought that was so neat, you know, a little bit of history tied to those vases.”
The Eyler Stables Flea Market will stay open (through the end of the year) every Friday and Saturday, from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; Sundays, from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. They will take a short break before reopening in the spring.
For an indoor, 8-foot space, the cost is $40.00 a month. You stock your own merchandise and price it. If you want just a weekend at the market, the cost is $20.00 for one day, $30.00 for two days, and $40.00 for all three days.
