Will Minneapolis Legalize Flea Markets?

According to the Downtown Journal, Minneapolis may soon legalize flea markets.

Minneapolis City Councilmember Gary Schiff is championing the idea of amending the city's torturous business regulations to allow such gatherings. The hypothetical ordinance would mimic that which regulates the city's farmers markets, Schiff told the paper. It would be another way to match not only consumer trends toward thriftiness.

It would require a license, a parking plan, onsite bathrooms, set operating hours, a master lease holder, a permanent site and subcontracts for spaces. The ordinance would also require the markets to be located on commercial parking lots, not in residential areas.

“Think of Lake Street. Think of Central Avenue. Think of the equivalent to a farmers marker vendor, but selling second hand items,” Schiff said.

But some city residents call the markets and eyesore and a parking problem. One unknowingly underground flea market organizer interviewed by MinnPost said his operation was shut down when a neighbor complained that the market was an eyesore and the traffic it created made it tough to park near her house. In addition, a farmers market advocate interviewed by the Journal said the city needs to make sure flea markets can't drown out famers markets by limiting the amount of produce offered.

Should the city legalize flea markets? If one sprang up near your house, would you support it?