Flea Fun

Those of us with an “I brake for yard sales!” bumper sticker on our vehicles (or more likely embedded in our DNA) have reason to rise and shine early this Sunday, April 17 and head to the parking lot at Rosemont’s Allstate Arena, where Wolff’s Flea Market will be starting its 2011 season. The family business has been operating seasonal swap meets in the Chicago area for 20-some years, which have swelled to include more than 700 dealers of antiques, collectibles, new merchandise, foodstuffs, and “junque.” It’s like eBay meets Craigslist, but with instant gratification and no awkward home visits. The Rosemont Sunday sales are weekly through October 30, from six a.m. (ouch) to three p.m., with occasional early closings for stadium events, and it’s best to bring cash for haggling (plus some vendors don’t take credit cards). The Wolff family also runs a year-round market in Palatine, at 1775 North Rand Road, on Saturdays and Sundays from 8–4.