May 27, 2009

Guide to the Ocean Grove Flea Market

It's time (Saturday, May 30) for the first of two annual gigantic flea markets in Ocean Grove, NJ, ...so ladies and gentlemen, start your engines.


I'll keep this post brief since it will only matter to those within travelling distance of Ocean Grove, NJ. You can click here, here, or here to see my posts from last spring's flea, with pictures. There are a few quick tips I can offer those of you making the journey:

THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM...AND THE PARKING SPOT
This is probably sensible advice for any flea market, but parking is horrendous in Ocean Grove on a normal day. There are no car park lots and very few homes have driveways. (Bad combo for a shore town.) So...

PARKING
I highly recommend parking on Lake Avenue which starts at the northwest end of Ocean Grove and heads into Asbury Park. Then simply walk across either of the two Wesley Lake foot bridges (see image below, and click to enlarge. Or head over to Google Maps so you can get a good bird's eye view, and zoom in). So easy, and you'll get out of town quicker, too. I've marked the image below with red dots where parking may be best. Some of the spots have parking meters, but it's like six hours for 25 cents so those are good. And as you get closer to the beach parking will be tougher, and the city of Asbury Park has installed annoying computerized municipal meters which you need a degree in parkology to figure out. My advice: Stay away from those spots (marked by a number painted on the street). Plus the City doesn't deserve to make money off of such a boneheaded move. Putting meters in a town in transition that no one's coming to yet. Duh! But I digress...

If you know Asbury well, there's also a beachfront parking lot by the old Carousel building. The parking lot is adjacent to one of the Ocean Grove foot bridges, and a five minute walk to the flea. Follow directions to the Empress Hotel to find that lot. It's no longer free, but a couple of bucks to park there may be worth it (it's also the closest lot to the flea, and you'll be able to pop in Bodega, my favorite shore shop, on your way home!).


DRIVING DIRECTIONS
If you go to the web site for Moonstruck Restaurant in Asbury Park, they're actually on Lake Avenue in Asbury Park -- follow their directions, as parking in front of their restaurant is ideal. Plus you can end your day at their first floor piano bar with a cold drink and their Mediterranean Antipasto Platter -- big enough for two or three to share. 517 Lake Avenue, Asbury Park.


TRAIN
New Jersey Transit services the Asbury Park train station from NYC's Penn Station and many other NJ points. Visit their web site for the schedule. The train station (circled in my picture in orange) is about a 10 minute walk from the Flea Market grounds. If anyone needs walking directions from the train, click here to email me.

I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM...
While there's snacks a plenty at the flea, nothing beats an ice cream cone at Day's Ice Cream. Or better yet, stop mid-flea to cool off with one of their Italian Floats -- fresh iced tea with a lemon ice floater. 48 Pitman Avenue in Ocean Grove.

SO MANY VENDORS...
...so little time! Many, many homes in town have yard sales to capitalize on the added foot traffic, so if you get a chance do try to wander around. It's where I've found some of my best deals.

CAN'T CARRY WHAT YOU BOUGHT?
If you think you'd like to store your purchases for pick up on another day, I'm happy to let you stow your goods in the shore house attic. Or, just stop by at the end of the flea day for a cold drink and a rock on the porch. Email me...shorehousechic(at)gmail(dot)com...I'd love to meet up with other bloggers, and answer any questions you may have about le grand flea.

Good luck, and happy hunting!

Memorial Day weekend was a weekend filled with great sales and good times...I'll share my newest finds tomorrow. Tonight I'm off to my skirt class...Hopefully the sewing gods will smile upon my sorry self...

16 comments:

s. pearce feldman said...

you're spilling good locals-only secrets! shhh! :P

i can't wait for saturday - you'll catch me, prince charming & our reinforcements at the gates to town... or maybe at Starving Artist for lunch!

Blondie's Journal said...

Laura,

This sounds like a lot of good fun! I think I would find enough to keep me content for a year or so (maybe).

When you invited people to the Shorehouse and offered a cold drink and rock on the porch, I thought the latter was a local drink!! LOL!!!

Can't wait to see the goods! :-)

xoxo
Jane

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Oh wow! I'd LOVE to go but I have to see what is on our agenda for thsi weekend first. My husband's BD and my son and family's visit is coming up fast.

Thanks for all the tips Laura! If I don't go this time I'll try to make in next time!

Purple Flowers said...

I'd love to go (I only live about an hour north of you) but I'm having abit of trouble w/my right foot, and I'm limping. That would not be so good at a flea market, especially one of that size. It looks grand! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy

The Quintessential Magpie said...

One of these years, I am going to drive Vanna (as in m white van) up to your door, honk the horn, and shout, "Laura, come on!" And we are going to haul things out of that flea market to our hearts' content! LOL! That is the beauty of Vanna. She has a totally open back and is MADE for furniture shopping. Yep, don't be surprised...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Joyce said...

Laura I can't wait to see what you found. Good luck with sewing. xoxo

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Great tutorial on how to get to the flea market. You should work for the board of tourism in Ocean Grove! I will be in touch with you by Friday and we will figure out times and such. I am pretty darn psyched about this and I hear that my daughter in the middle will be with me. The weather is supposed to cooperate....good luck with the skirt.
♥, Susan

Free Art Printables said...

I would so go there is I could! Jen

Jean Martha said...

I want to go but I hate taking the train and shore traffic gives me the hives!! Buy me pretty presents!?

Sue said...

Is it too late to cancel the two miniature ponies and all the toodlers for saturdays party?? I guess not...I will try to be back for the fall show...See you on Wednesday!!! Can't wait.

Sue said...

that last message made no sense...you have to excuse me.husband is sitting here talking and I'm pooped from packing...ofcourse we can't cancel the childs party...you only turn two once!! and I'll still see you on Wednesday..

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

I.Am.So.Jealous!

Have a great time! Cant wait to see your finds! Be sure to link up to thrifty thursday and show and tell.
Hugs!

SPetrie said...

Oh man...wish I knew about this flea market! Did you find any good finds?

SPetrie said...

Oh man...wish I knew about this flea market! Did you find any good finds?

Maureen said...

One day I will get there... sounds so great.

Hudson Goods said...

this flea market was always great, have not been in years!