Mikaela Rabizadeh social media editor
Home to mom jeans and 80s band tees, the Melrose Trading Post is the hot spot for anyone on the lookout for vintage finds.  Once a hidden gem of LA, this local flea market has become a popular shopping destination as an alternative to traditional shopping centers like Century City and the Beverly Center.
The trading post is open every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., held in the parking lot of Fairfax High School. Admission is $3, which is donated to the school. This grants public access to a maze of vendors selling unique goods ranging from furniture to clothing and everything in between.
“Every time I go, there’s something new,” junior Danna Rosman said. “I can go there to explore my style and meet cool people in the heart of Melrose. It beats a regular mall any day, hands down.”
The Melrose Trading Post is not your average flea market. Unlike the loud and bustling environment of most markets, the trading post puts a laidback Los Angeles twist on the flea market experience.  Instead, shoppers flow leisurely from stand to stand with minimal bargaining.
“The vibe there is chill. Even if you’re not shopping, it’s a dope place to hang out and grub,” junior Matt Liner said.
The outdoor market is mostly comprised of second-hand items.  The entire used clothing dynamic adds to its thrift shopping feel, minus the hassle that comes with thrifting. The “lucky finds” that would normally take what feels like years of mustering through heaps of clothing at the Goodwill are conveniently pre-picked out.
“It’s kind of like thrifting, except you can get handmade items, too.  It’s also way less time consuming to find the pieces you’re looking for,” Rosman said.
Along with vintage clothing, the Melrose Trading Post features tons of budding designers. The heavy foot-traffic of the flea market provides exposure to emerging brands, including the sought-after Purrr Melrose boutique. After scoring a job as a model and employee for Purrr Melrose, sophomore Anna Westberg can be spotted overseeing the booth at the Trading Post every weekend.
“The flea market is not a really traditional place to be working,” Westberg said. “The whole environment is relaxed, and it attracts a lot of fashionable and creative people, so there’s a lot of inspiration for my own style.”
Desiree Gonzalez staff writer
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