With Brooklyn Flea as inspiration, founders develop entrepreneurial incubator

More than a decade ago, Lindsay and Nick Dewald, who had lived in various places across the country, had settled in New York City, just a few blocks from the Brooklyn Flea.

What they saw there inspired them to start the Cincinnati City Flea in 2011 — an urban flea market at the corner of Central Parkway and Vine Street in downtown Cincinnati. The flea market locally was so successful that they decided to stay in their native city and eventually move the market to a permanent location at Washington Park after renovations were completed in 2012.

Beginning with just 45 vendors, the City Flea has grown to more than 150 vendors from across the region. The market operates once a month this year from April to October, with two additional winter market dates planned for December. It next will occur 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in Washington Park.

The Dewalds say having a rich community of creative entrepreneurs in and around Cincinnati has a multitude of benefits to the region. “It keeps money local, fuels artistic expression, inspires young people and adds interest to our city. Dozens of vendors that started at the flea have opened brick-and-mortar locations throughout Cincinnati.”

The City Flea offers a wide array of products, as well as a chance to get outside, engage with the community and explore historic Over-the-Rhine.

“We know firsthand how much the sales and engagement mean to the vendors and just how many smiles are shared because the City Flea exists. It has been a pleasure to be a part of it for so many years, and we treasure the relationships and interactions we have been lucky enough to have because of it.”