Front Royal delays action on expansion of flea market operations

A request to add Fridays to the weekend days that flea markets in the Town of Front Royal may operate was not acted on Monday, August 14.  John Connolly’s motion to approve the request died without a second.  Mayor Hollis Tharpe instructed Town Manager Joe Waltz to bring the matter back to a council work session.

So, for the time being at least flea markets will only be allowed to open on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.  The $10 per-vendor annual fee structure will remain in place as well.  A $250 annual fee paid by the flea market proprietor was part of the abandoned code change proposal.

The fact the proposal was not voted down could work to the benefit of the applicant since there will be no restrictions on how soon an altered proposal can be re-introduced for approval.

It’s back to the drawing board for the Town of Front Royal and its flea markets in altering both a schedule of days allowed to operate and new fee structure. Andrick’s Flea Market Photos/Roger Bianchini

Three people spoke at the public hearing, one in favor and two against it, though both of the latter explained they were not against flea markets in general but did have questions about the operational parameters applied to them in Front Royal.  Those speakers were Ann Orndorff, co-owner of with her husband of the Springtime Gardens, and Jason Neal.

Orndorff repeated concerns she raised at a July work session revolving around how flea markets are taxed and licensed.  She also questioned live animals being sold, including puppies, chickens and hedgehogs which she observed were sometimes kept out in 95-degree heat.  Orndorff said she had discovered that vendors must get peddler’s licenses, but other questions about new goods and produce remained.

Neal raised some of the same issues, particularly as they apply to produce and an Andrick’s Flea Market initiative to add a farmer’s market to its operations.  Both Neal and Orndorff said they would prefer a resurrected farmer’s market remain in its old mid-downtown location.

Elizabeth Schenk, granddaughter of Cecil Andrick, who founded Front Royal’s primary flea market now on the east side of Commerce Avenue between Stonewall Drive and Turner’s Lane, spoke in support of the proposal spearheaded by Andrick’s Flea Market.  She noted the flea market’s partnering with local school organizations and sports teams in fundraising activities.  She also pointed to what she termed “many foreign tourists” attracted to the type of American memorabilia that may be found at flea markets.

Schenk said that rising operational costs, including property rental, utilities and taxes created the impetus to ask for an additional day to generate extra revenue for the flea market.

There was no council discussion following the public hearing and Connolly’s motion to explain the lack of a second allowing the motion to die without a vote.  However, previous work session discussion indicated a split on council on what the proposed annual fee should be.  A $250 annual fee paid by the flea market proprietor was proposed to replace the current $10 per year fee on individual vendors at the flea market.  At least one councilman appeared to favor a $500 annual fee, though the council consensus heading toward the public hearing was that $500 might be too high for the size of Front Royal’s flea market customer base.

Following the motion’s death without a second, Vice Mayor Eugene Tewalt explained that the result meant the Town’s code on flea market days and fees would remain as they currently stand, pending the matter being reintroduced and taking to a second public hearing – so, Saturday, Sundays and holidays it will remain under the old per-vendor fee structure.