Happy’s Flea Market

Crazy place – an anthropologist’s dream. Closed now because the building was condemned.

You’re experience here is going to be highly dependent on what you’re looking for.
What they have:
Great taco and churro trucks
Good produce stands
Good toy and jewelry stores
Lots of junk dealers and wholesale resellers
What it is not:
This is no longer the place where townies would come to unload their attic. You’re not going to find some unearthed treasure here.
It is also no longer a pet store. New laws prohibit sales.

Ok let me preface this by saying I love flea markets and junk shops as much (if not WAAAAY more) than the next person. Here is my hang up about Happy’s: there are boatloads of reports of vendors there basically using the place to fence stolen goods. Those stalls with tarps over them? It’s because they’re undergoing police investigation. I know it’s certainly not every vendor, but it puts a taint on the whole establishment and takes it from fun-​junky to crime-​supporting-​sleazy.

It would be nice if the stores that are inside of Happys actually stuck to their posted hours. It seems they’re open when they feel like it, not when they say they’re going to be

This place wasn’t creepy to me… and I’m a snob. There weren’t any outside vendors when we went because it was raining. But inside, it was okay. There are lots of little shops. Some are filled with junk to the sky, and some are nice and organized. I thought the whole setup was really cute and I enjoy supporting small businesses. I had a very nice conversation with one of the vendors there. She was such a sweet lady. If I ever return to Roanoke, I’d come back here. If I do, and I feel like it’s creepy then I’ll update my review. But for now, I think it’s a nice little place to stop by, find unique treasures, and support small business owners.

Happy’s Happy’s Happy’s! How does one even begin to describe this weird, amusing, odd place that is full of the good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between? When you’re outside of the building you’re not sure if you’re at Sanford and Son’s garage sale, or if you’re in a shady warehouse that sells knockoffs of every brand imaginable. The upside, however, is that there are some vendors outside in the summer selling their own home grown produce. I’d advise keeping your wallet and yours kids close at hand when at this place.
Now, step inside and smell the distinct aroma of the 1970s. Sure, I wasn’t alive in the 70s, but I am beyond positive that this is what the disco era smelled like. Soak in the bright orange walls of the «snack bar» or, if you’re really feeling courageous, take a walk past the bingo hall to the bathrooms. Some of the booths are literally filled to the brim with stuff, but yet never unlocked or open for business. There is a really awesome record shop in the back where most records go for $ 2 a pop. It hasn’t been swept since 1982, so don’t wear your good clothes, and expect to get dirty as many of the boxes are sitting in the floor.
You’ll also find plentiful amounts of leather jackets, bamboo plants, oriental tapestries, 90’s era Nascar replicas, fake designer bags, t-​shirts with tasteless designs, and the best people watching experience of your lifetime. I’d recommend a stop here, but not on Mondays as they’re closed.

These are my kind of people. Shame on you people who think you’re too good for the flea market. I give you permission to punch me in the face if I ever think I’m too good to come here… or eat at a Waffle House… or frequent a Hooters.
The shops here are pretty cool. Two of my favorites are the big box center/​dollar store where you can find basically any kitchen utensil for dirt cheap. Granted, I’m sure most of the products have lead in them, but still who can’t use a 4 dollar machete? The other store I really like is the sports shop. They have a Dallas Cowboys coffee table for 250 bucks. If I had 250 dollars to burn, I would seriously think about buying it. There’s also a store that has a Thundercats sword. Sadly… it does not extend or project the Thundercats symbol into the air.
Now, for those of you looking for good Mexican food… you can’t beat the taco truck in the back of the flea market. Tongue tacos are where it’s at. The last time I was there, they were also serving fresh corn in a cup mixed with Mexican cheese with optional chili sauce. Now that is good eating. Also, they have a Churro truck. What?! That’s right… a Churro truck. They also have some pretty good looking produce in the market out back, both of the Asian and Hispanic varieties.
For those of you with working VCR’s, they have a ton of VHS cassettes. Also, you can find Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Genesis, and Dreamcast games. If my mom hadn’t given away my NES and SNES, I’d be beating up little kids in order to secure a copy of Tecmo Bowl.
In conclusion, go here at least once. The parking lot gets crazy on weekends.

I was introduced to this rundown and wildly weird place first during a trip for a college class I was taking on surrealism. For me, the context of that first impression has always held true.
Stores range from ultra-​greasy spoons to pet stores to headshops to record shops. Some are musty, some are a little creepy, some are fascinating, and some are off-​putting. It’s never exactly scary or dangerous when I’ve been during the daytime, but I find myself looking over my shoulder and watching my step while I’m here.
You won’t find everything here, but you will find something interesting. Maybe it’s a Laura Nyro album that you’ve never seen, and maybe it’s a pillow with a picture of Tupac Shakur. Or maybe it’s a sculpture of fighting tigers on a mirror base, or a bracelet with pictures of saints.
I’ve been here many times; while I’ve never frequenting the place, I tend to default to a trip to Happy’s when I’m at loose ends and need a shared activity. I’ve come here on my birthday with my local fiancé and with my out-​of-​town family, simply because I was looking for something interesting to do.
That’s the main attraction of Happy’s for me — it’snot always exactly fun-​filled, but it’s never, ever boring.

This place is kinda creepy, in an interesting way… kinda. Full of character at least. Even if that character is interesting in a dirty, sleezy, back ally kind of way.
My high school sweetie used to drag me here on the weekends because they had an awesome record shop that sold vintage LP’s in great condition. The floor used to amuse me because with every step a batch of oversized dust bunnies would skid across the old 60’s tiled floor.
Also, there’s nothin’ like getting asked by a homeless man if you want to buy an 8 ball of coke in the parking lot on your way out. If you say no, its ok. He’ll probably still offer you some for free.
(I wonder if that old homeless man is still lurking outside the entrance of Happy’s?)