Carson’s Moncton Flea Market

Carson’s Moncton Flea Market is the ultimate treasure hunt for everyone, from the casual browser to the dedicated collector of a wide range of novelty items, collector pieces, vintage memorabilia, period furnishings and accessories, and antiques. New Brunswick’s first and largest flea market, Carson’s Flea Market is the only permanently housed venue of its kind in the province with its own premises at 44 Somers Crescent in the Caledonia Industrial Park. Easily accessible from Elmwood Drive, it is also reached form Exit 459 of the Trans-Canada Highway.

Carson’s Moncton Flea Market has been bringing quality antiques and collectibles to area residents and visitors to our region for 37 years! A shopping phenomenon which has continued to gain a large and loyal following among both customers and dealers alike, this exceptional venue owes its genesis to founders Dave and Georgia Carson’s passion for collecting. First ignited in the heart of a young man of sixteen years of age, Dave’s obsession with collecting began with a handful of vintage Canadian coins purchased at face value from a local grocery store where he had a summer job. The discovery of their antique value later on was a thrill from which Dave never recovered. Bitten by the collector bug, Dave has parlayed his love for collecting into one of the most dynamic business ventures of our region, spurring him on to great heights not only in business but also in a stellar career highlighted with many accomplishments along the way.

Dave Carson’s interest in coins prompted him to design a medallion in honour of Canada’s Centenary in 1967. Featuring the area’s natural wonders at Hopewell Rocks and the Reversing Falls, it gained much attention resulting in Dave’s term as the President of the Moncton Coin Club. Thereafter, Dave was appointed the City of Moncton’s first Tourist and Convention Officer, producing the first City of Moncton tourist brochure. On to a job as Blue Cross Public Relations Officer in the 1970's, Dave’s talents were duly recognized by Mr. Paul Creighan, MLA, who invited him to act as his executive assistant for his duration in office. At that term’s end, Dave Carson went to work as the Regional Manager at the Labs of both the Georges Dumont and Moncton Hospitals where he spent nine years before moving on to the Achieve Group, selling concepts in skill development training and business solutions with many major players on the Canadian commercial and industrial scenes as his clients. Throughout this impressive career, Dave Carson indulged in his passion for collecting, developing with Georgia, his wife their idea for the Moncton Flea Market in 1972. Georgia was the driving force behind the markets for the first 20 years.

"After visiting flea markets across Canada," says Dave, "Georgia, and I attended one in Amherst, N.S., where we found many fellow Monctonians in attendance." The idea for their own flea market was born! "We figured that if Monctonians were willing to travel to Amherst, then we could create a successful flea market in Moncton." Georgia took the lead and organized Moncton’s first Flea Market and they never looked back! Together with Georgia, his high school sweetheart, fellow collector, and antique expert extrordinaire, Carson’s Moncton Flea Market has defined success in a unique way. Indeed, Carson’s Moncton Flea Market has followed the history of retail establishments in Moncton with its varied locations over the years, beginning with its debut opening at the Lions Seniors’ Centre on St. George Street. Introduced as a one-day, Saturday only event, its sold-out performance resulted in a waiting list of interested customers eager for a repeat showing. "This first foray into flea markets was a special one for our organization," says Dave. "In many ways it was a ‘first.’ Quite a few local businesses had their start with that first flea market, Kurt’s Sausage in particular. Former teacher Tim Isaacs, who also dealt in collectibles and antiques, went on to become a professional auctioneer, and Al Galbraith, who dealt in coins, became the ‘walking alderman.’"

A move to the Beaver Curling Club location with a spring and fall show led to the then new Moncton Coliseum with a regular bi-annual show. A Sunday show was introduced with the subsequent Brunswick Hotel location at the corner of Highfield and Main Streets, and the flea market sought new premises in Highfield Square after the movie theatre location was made into a Food Court. Here, the Sunday Flea Market gained a large following of buyers and seller within two years, and then it was on to the old K-mart Plaza on Mapleton Road in the present Co-op spot. Moncton Mall was next, and Champlain Mall tested its Sunday shopping debut with a "Indoor Outings Show" organized by the Carson’s. The last stop along the way for this peripatetic show, which stood the test of time, was the Riverview Mall where it enjoyed a good showing until the call centre phenomenon took over. Today, Carson’s Moncton Flea Market enjoys a permanent home where it now boasts 30 - 40 regular and seasonal vendors with over 100,000 items on sale very Sunday!

"We are very proud of our present location," says Dave. "We are highly visible from the Trans-Canada Highway, and we are now attracting a growing tourist demographic. We have had customers drop by from Ontario, for example, on their way to graduation ceremonies at Mount Allison. We even had one of the Trailer Park Boys stop by on his way as a guest speaker at Mount Allison University. He purchased quite a lot from almost every table. Movie companies have also dropped in to purchase props, and we have collected positive remarks in our guest book. It is very gratifying to read comments like "the best flea market east of Montreal!"

One of the main attractions of a flea market is the ability to negotiate in finding items that are a good investment. "Coins are still a good investment," says Dave, who has seen a growing trend in the retail environment for clients anxious to discover that special find to complete a collection, whether it be a simple salt and pepper shaker set; out-of-print books, magazines, or newspapers; LP records; toys; fashion jewellery; or antique furniture. Even model railroad enthusiasts can find kits and accessories for their own layouts in various scales at the booth of Hap Mabey, veteran hobbuist and expert in the field of model railroading! "Memorabilia is big business," says Dave, "and now is a good time to buy as many people are liquidating their collections and prices are the lowest in 10 years." In fact, dealers at the Moncton Flea Market seek only the finest quality in items found in estate buy-outs, yard sales, and discontinued stock, often scouring marketplaces for the best deals.

"Our dealers are like family," says Dave. "We enjoy a real feeling of community, and the dealers appreciate the fact that they can enjoy less overhead than owning their own shop would entail. This results in better prices for the customer who can also rely on the expertise and knowledge vendors have in their inventory." For dealers Cindy and John Lutes, the rush of finding an item at rock bottom prices and re-selling at a profit is what keeps them coming to the flea market, and for dealers Bill and Gayle Gallant, it’s the social aspect. Dealers hail from as far away as Fredericton, and George Arsenault of Charlo travels 2½ hours to man his booth of unique vintage items.

Carson’s Moncton Flea Market is truly a friendly spot with an easy-going atmosphere. A joy to visit, it’s the perfect place to relax, browse, and enjoy the sights and sounds of an Aladdin’s cave of treasures. An excellent pastime for an afternoon of discovery and fun, Carson’s Moncton Flea Market is a year-round "destination" for the whole family. Drop by – you’ll be guaranteed not to leave empty-handed!

Today, Carson’s Moncton Flea Market has brought Dave Carson full circle. Recently retired from a career in training and consulting, he can now devote his retirement to his first love – collecting. In a life defined by his hobby, both career-wise and in his favourite pastime, Carson’s Moncton Flea Market stands as a testament to a collector, an artist, an entrepreneur, a storyteller, and a visionary, all encompassed in one man - Moncton’s own Dave Carson!