In April of this year, a new and slowly growing business began in the heart of Mt. Aukum. It is believed to be the counties first year-round indoor flea market and is becoming quite the social gathering place for residents of the surrounding areas of Omo Ranch, Mt. Aukum, Fair Play, Somerset, Pleasant Valley and River Pines just across the El Dorado Amador county line.
For nearly 15 years residents of Mt. Aukum and the surrounding areas have been wondering and watching what venture owner Suzana Tai would do next to promote the Mt. Aukum Square, 8171 Mt. Aukum Road, a business complex which has seen its share of failed business since it was built in 1995.
On any given weekend, there are anywhere from 10 to 20 vendors most renting a 10 by 10-foot space— some renting two. So far, all are residents of the area except for one couple who drives in from Folsom.
Inventory changes weekly and vendors come and go. As things sell and new items are brought in, the early bird really does catch the worm at this flea market, which still maintains its small town, garage sale type feel.
Shoppers can find anything from furniture, used clothing, antiques, collectibles of all kinds, dishes, used CDs and cassette tapes, authentic old German beer-logo coats, a Mitsubishi fork lift, a child- size drum set, hedge trimmers and a decorated faux Christmas tree ready for the holiday season, to name a few items.
However, the market is promoting nearly anything and everything that needs space to be seen. The plan is to rent out the front parking lot for people to sell vehicles as there is ample parking alongside and behind the complex for customers.
Tai hopes to have a local farmers market of fresh produce on the site someday.
She said she has visited other area farmers markets to get ideas and invite them to participate in her venture. She can also be personally seen in Plymouth, Placerville or anyplace she can think of handing out flyers to increase foot traffic on the weekends.
The property purchased through foreclosure in November of 1999, Tai has only had one long-lasting tenant, the Mt. Aukum Post Office which has been there since the complex was built.
Through the years she has attempted to run some of her own business ventures out of the complex: an import and export company which sent her all over the world; a bar called Chances and a restaurant. She has leased space to a wine tasting room which has recently moved on. Tai also entertains proposals to hold special events at the complex.
The only tenants remaining until recently are the post office and Second Chances, named after the original Chances Bar, a business owned and operated by Mike Specht.
“I asked people about a flea market and they liked it,” Tai said. “I had to do something as I have tried a lot of things. Storage, wine tasting and special events like weddings, but this is too far away,” she added.
Mt. Aukum residents for 11 years, Carol and Larry Upton, recently teamed up with Tai as the onsite managers during the Saturday and Sunday event.
The Uptons met Tai about seven years ago when their daughter-in-law worked at the bar. Tai and the Uptons live very close to the Mt. Aukum Square.
Carol Upton is very civic minded.
“I had a booth here and knew that Suzana needed some help. I thought, ‘I can do this.’ I can make this a better place,” Carol said.
Saying she has a love for people, she brings in food for vendors and visitors every Saturday. Her most recent effort is a new coat drive for local kids receiving seven coats so far in her goal of 50. They also participated in a recent fundraiser that benefited the Indian Diggings School in Omo Ranch and will help with the school’s field trips.
“I am the husband role,” Larry boasted, supporting his wife as well as the business owner. “Suzana tries to create a better community (through the complex) — so I got on board.”
Carol brought in her flair for decorating and within weeks transformed the massive floor space into inviting areas of Native American artworks, drop-leaf tables set with antique dishes and eye-catching displays using various pieces from different booths to rotate stock and create better visibility for those more hidden pieces customers might have to dig for. Most of the 10- by 10-foot spaces are packed to the brim with items for sale.
The flea market is open Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
For more information call 530-651-3814 or 530-391-6565.
