Grace Media Group visited Jerry and Allison Windham, who have opened Hub City Flea Market at the Jackson Fairgrounds.

Question: First, tell us a little about yourselves. Where are you originally from, family, education and what you did before you decided to open the business you are now in?

Answer: We are Jerry and Allison Windham from just across the Tennessee state line in Ripley Mississippi. We are one of the property owners of the First Monday Trade Day grounds in Ripley and Allison is an Officer of the board of Directors of Ripley First Monday Flea Market, Inc.

We are also the management of daily operations, where Allison manages the Booth Tracker, Vendor reservations and booking system and office manager. Jerry’s primary responsibility is marketing, finance and business development.

Together we constantly recruit new vendors, market to customers, develop promotional ideas, support our local Mainstreet Association and work with others entities such development organizations to create interest in our market and our community.

Together we have 80 years experience in the operations of a Flea Market and 14 years as the top management and business developer. We both attended the University of Mississippi back in the Glory Days of the late 80’s. The Hub City has always been one of our main shopping and health centers going back more than 30 years and we are so proud to finally become part of that community, as well.

Question: How many Markets do you own? Where are they located, do they go by the same name, and what made you decide on the Jackson market?

Answer: Presently we own and operate two Markets in the Mid-South area – Jackson’s Hub City Flea Market and Ripley’s First Monday Flea Market.

Question: What are your business hours at your locations, and what is involved in setting up for a weekend?

Answer: Hub City Flea Market monthly times are 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday (May 6-7-8)

First Monday Market times are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday.

Allison makes it pretty simple. Just fill out an application and your preferences and she will call and work what kind of spots are available and which is the best fit for your merchandise.

Question: We realize you just opened the Jackson market, but are you seeing, or are you expecting to see some of the same vendors in Jackson you lease space to in Ripley, Mississippi?

Answer: Our vision, since the markets are so close geographically, that each market would be better served running on consecutive weekends instead in tandem and competing for much of the same market share.

In that, we do expect the vendors to utilize the dates and proximity, to participate in both markets.

Great question and one of the main reasons we applied for the market was our economies of scale and synergies as a related entity.

Question: Are you looking at adding additional markets in other cities or states?

Answer: We would never turn down a possibility, but until we get settled in here in the Hub City, I think two recurring markets is enough for now. We are, however, looking at other options such as an occasional themed market and or some pop-up markets in and around Jackson and the West Tennessee area.

(PHOTO: Jerry & Allison Windham, center, during ribbon cutting at Jackson Fairgrounds – courtesy Craig Faulkner – Grace Media Group)