Flea Market enjoys fifth year of popularity in Repulse Bay
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Repulse Bay (May 02/01) - The house and yard sale have always been regarded as somewhat of a national sport in the bargain-crazed North.
And while both are still popular and always capable of drawing a crowd of avid bargain hunters, another event is starting to rival their popularity in the Arctic Circle.
Tusarvik school teacher Leonie Aissaoui says no matter what a person may be peddling for sale or looking to buy as a bargain, the Flea Market represents their best chance at success in Repulse Bay.
"The Repulse Flea Market is held once a month in the Tusarvik school gym from August until May and it's become quite the community event," says Aissaoui.
While many specialized events in the North often prove themselves to be fads, quickly fading in popularity after a year or two, the Repulse Bay Flea Market continues to draw a crowd five years after the initial school sale was held.
Aissaoui says the flea market gives people a chance to mark the end of the month as a time to book a table and sell some old, no-longer-needed or unwanted stuff.
It also means a chance for bargain hunters to find that diamond-in-the-rough type of item.
A stroll through the school gym on typical flea market day affords one the opportunity to browse through and pick up a wide range of items, including baked goods, children's and adult's traditional clothing, toys, artificial flowers, real plants, tools, hardware, household items and one of the market's more popular attractions: makeup.
Truth be known, the Mary Kay line of cosmetics have proven themselves to be extremely popular in the Arctic Circle.
"It is just like down south in one of those big stores," says Aissaoui.
"When you approach the table, you get a few tips on how to soften your skin or be more beautiful, and even get a few free 'echantillons' to try them on.
"You can't beat that level of service, no matter where you are."
