If there was ever a heaven on earth for bargain hunters, it simply has to be found at a flea market. Whether you’re obsessed with kitsch collectables, antique bric-a-brac or vintage clothes, flea markets are place to be. From Porte de Clignancourt in Paris to Portobello in London, celebrities and fashion icons like Kate Moss have been known to spend hours scouring through the various stalls in the hope of finding the most unique treasures to suit their style.

And the good news is that flea markets are now so very trendy that even our little capital has caught onto the fad, with its very own flea market having officially opened its doors on Dec, 6. From handicrafts to second hand goods of all sorts, it’s a far cry from the shopping malls, department stores and high street stores we’ve become accustomed to.

Not an outdoor affair however, the Nicosia flea market is rather curiously situated in the Sopaz industrial area in Kaimaikli. Housed in a large old factory space that has been rather meticulously revamped, the idea came about when 52-year-old Sozos Sazeides was looking for ways to take advantage of the space.

Formally a factory which manufactured machinery and equipment, Sazeides decided the space would be perfect for a market, with much time and effort spent cleaning up the area and setting up 60 separate booths from which people can sell their wares.

“This is something that Nicosia doesn’t have and after seeing it work abroad I thought we really needed our own flea market,” Sazeides explains. And he goes on to point out that his desire to set up a flea market has little to do with recession as many may be inclined to think. “This isn’t about somewhere that is only going to be selling really cheap things.” While crowds will of course be able to get hold of some good bargains, the concept of the market is about much more than that.

“This event is about giving people the chance to get hold of rare items they might not be able to get hold of anywhere else,” says the organiser. Music lovers are in for a treat with some precious old vinyls for sale while one stall holder will be selling his prized second hand instruments. Then there’ll also be old garden tools, second hand books, handicrafts and nearly new clothes to get hold of. “People often have so many things at home that they don’t know what to do with,” points out Sazeides. To put it simply, this flea market is looking to establish itself as the place where anyone can find just about everything, from the most curious to the most useful items.

Set to take place every weekend throughout the year, the whole affair promises to be great fun, all about rummaging through goods in a lively atmosphere. Try your hand at haggling and you never know what deal you might be able to strike. As for vendors, they can rent out a booth for just one day or as many weekends as they require.

Whether you’re heading down to the venue to shop or sell your goods, you can really make a day of it what with an onsite cafeteria and music to jazz up the atmosphere. And if you’re planning a walk around Old Nicosia anytime soon, keep your eyes peeled: word on the street has it that a lovely old Morris Minor pickup truck will be making its way through the town luring crowds towards the new venue.

Flea Market of Nicosia

Open every Saturday and Sunday all year round from 9am-8pm. 2 Gianni Koromia St, Kaimakli, Nicosia. Tel: 22-432478. www.fleamarketofnicosia.com. A spacious parking lot is available for all visitors and vendors free of charge. Email: info@fleamarketofnicosia.com

Did you know that?

While the origins of the oddly termed ‘flea market’ are often disputed, it is often said to derive from a literal translation of the French ‘marchι aux puces’, a name originally given to a market in Paris back in the 1800s which specialised in shabby second-hand goods of the kind that might contain fleas.

Another popular tale actually relates to the military under the leadership of Napoleon III whereby many dealers of second hand merchandise were forced to flee the city streets so the military could move around unhindered. The merchants then gathered in a new location which was referred to as the ‘flee market’ which is then said to have somehow morphed into ‘flea market’ over time.

Whatever the origins of the term, it has now firmly come to stand as the phrase used for a market that rents space to anyone with products to sell to the public. Some flea markets are permanent indoor establishments while others are outdoor events that are held at regular intervals and draw a large number of vendors and shoppers. Most of these bazaars offer items that are rare or not common in traditional retail outlets with the latest flea market trends veering towards supplying buyers with vintage and second hand treasures.