The Doctor knows what you are thinking.

You're thinking, "I am so sure I could find stuff like this at my local flea market."
Well, in fact you might, if you observe these three simple guidelines.

Read them.  Heed them.

1) Go often

2) Go early

3) Stay long

And remember, if you see something you've been actively searching for for over two years, BUY IT!  For if you don't, it will surely be a very long time before you see another.

On the other hand, if you do actually buy it, be prepared to experience "Collector's Syndrome", which is: finding another one within the week, in better condition, for less.

No, The Doctor does not own, operate, or even sell things at a flea market.  The sage advice offered above is grounded in years of personal experience. It is selflessly presented that you might find more and better goodies, and also that The Doctor's basement might stop filling up with said goodies if you buy them before he does.

Jamie's Flea Market * * * *

The best and the biggest flea market in Lorain county.  Jamie's is in South Amherst, on the north side of Rt. 113 a little west of Rt. 58.  Open year round, Wednesdays and Saturdays.  Admission is free.  The large, mulit-part buildings open at 8:00 a.m.  Outside, dealers set up an hour before dawn, and buyers can join in as the dealers check out each other's wares.  By 10:00 a.m. traffic can be a problem, but don't bother parking in the front lot; most of the action is way in the back anyway.

Johnnie's Flea Market -

(Barely) operating with around a dozen dealers about 1/4 mile west of Jamie's Flea Market, on the south side of Rt. 113, Johnnie's uses huge billboards to confuse out-of-town visitors: "Did we want Jamie's or Johnnie's, hon?"  Open whenever Jamie's is.

Litchfield Flea Market * * * *

A very large and still-growing rural flea market.  Located on the south side of Rt. 18 just east of Rt. 83.  Open Saturdays and Sundays during the warmer months. Free admission.  It gets going around 7 or 8 a.m. in the summer.  A couple small building of dealers, the rest outside, a few selling directly out of rented storage garages on the premises.  Prices are mostly very reasonable, and not too much New Junk.

Medina "Flea Market of Collectibles" * *

A modest (and shrinking) year-round, monthly flea market held on Sundays only, generally the third Sunday of the month.  Located at the Medina County Fairgrounds on the north side of Rt. 42, south of the town square.  One building (usually three giant rooms) plus an outdoor area April through October.  Some real antiques, good quality collectibles, not too much New Junk.  Admission is $2 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but you'd do better to pay $3 for early admission, 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.  Don't confuse this show with the other, more antiques-oriented indoor-only show also held on Sundays at the Medina Fairgrounds.   Call 330-723-6083 for show dates or check on-line.

East Oberlin Flea Market C L O S E D

Indoor only, but open year-round on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.  Sort of scrawny, with only about 20 dealers and a yucky snack bar, but several decent dealers.  Located along "old" Route 20; use Exit 511 (Oberlin) from "new" Route 20, turn right off the ramp and it's on your right.  Decent prices.

Memphis Drive-In Flea Market C L O S E D

A large, warm-weather, outdoor, weekend flea market located at a working drive-in theater on Memphis Avenue in Cleveland.  Take I-71 to the W. 130th exit, left at Bellaire, right onto W. 117th, which becomes Memphis Ave., it's on your right.  Lots of Old Junk, some Real Junk.  Opens around 7:00 a.m. They charge 75 cents for parking.  Sunday usually has more dealers.

Byler's Flea Market *

Once the main flea market in the area, Byler's is still open every Monday and Thursday on the south side of SR 619 in Hartville, but it's no longer the 5-star flea market it once was. (It's former neighbor, Harville Flea Market, moved to fancy new digs across the street; see below.) With three modest buildings for indoor dealers, it is primarily a seasonal market. Admission is now free, and though you still park in the cow pasture, you'll see only a fraction of the dealers of yesteryear. O lost!

Hartville Flea Market * * *

A big upscale flea market open year-round on Saturdays, Mondays and Thursdays on the north side of SR 619 in Hartville. The indoor dealers in the huge new building offer mostly New Junk, but the seasonal outdoor dealers still sell your classic flea market Old Junk. With it's bright and clean new building and asphalt-paved outdoor area, this market lacks the true flea market ambience. Always bustling; get there before 9:00 a.m. to avoid the traffic.