Meet: El Becerro Western Wear #2

In keeping with our new tradition, this week I will be introducing you to another one of our vendors. Read there story and then come check them out in person at The Buford Highway Flea Market

Jose Guadalupe Estrda fell into this business by accident. While working for someone that sold shoes he settled a debt with this man by accepting a large inventory of shoes. Deciding the best way to  make his money back would be to sell them he set up shop in El Monte, California. After 16 strong years at that flea market things started to slow down and he was contemplating his next move. A wholesale merchant then invited him to visit Atlanta. When I walked in and saw that things were booming, then and there I decided to make my move to the Buford Highway Flea Market. I rented a both that day and now I occupy five spaces. After eight years hear, I could not be happier, more thankful or even more optimistic about this  place. This business has allowed me to raise my family and secure my future.

When you visit El Becerro Western Wear #2 you will find a wide variety of wester wear and apparel. We carry items such as cowboy boots, cowboy hats and feature clothing that has the western wear feel to it. This is what the "raza" as we call our fellow immigrants like to wear and we offer them a spot that feels like  home.

Take a closer look!!

Have you been curious about the Buford Highway Flea Market, well we have put together this great video that gives you the inside scoop. Walk the isles, see the products, shoppers and more. The market is a full on cultural shopping experience you can pick up amazing gifts from all over the world, get your hair cut and party with a clown. Don't just take my word for it... Watch the video

Meet: Souvenir Curio Shop

There is best way to get to know some one is to listen to there story, you get a better idea of what they are really about. And we thought how great it would be for  you to get to know some of the vendors at the Buford Highway Flea Market. Each week we will present you with a new vendor story... enjoy!

Jeremie Creste has been in business for 23 years, he first set up his booth space in August of 1988 and has been selling his exotic goodies ever since. Born in the French Guyana, in the city of Cayenne. I came to this country in 1977, to Cincinnati. I went to school there and then joined the army after I finished high school. I was in the army for 13 years and left being a captain. At the time I was stationed in Fort Bening (in Columbus, GA).  After leaving the services I went on to travel for nine months, during which I fell in love with the wood carvings and oil paintings I saw , so I purchase a good size inventory and decided to start a business selling them. I came to Atlanta, because it was the closest big city, and it was a vibrant place to start  my business.

When I first starting selling my items I wend downtown, but was told by other merchants that I would need a permit, when I went to obtain one the man told me "Man you should go to the Buford highway flea market, that's where you will sell your merchandise like crazy." So I did and I have been doing it for the last 23 years. I've been able to make a good living and give my family a home. I still feel as young as I did the day I started.

Currently we offer a wide variety of things. including a beautiful selection of religious motives, figures, and paintings like "The Las Supper", Virgin of Guadalupe, Virgin Mary, and so on. I also carry a good assorting of decoration lamps, and toys. But that is just a small example of what I sell. Basically you can be sure that you will be able to find a gift that will have your friends or loved ones amazed. You can find me in booth 314, the best known corner of The Market. My mechanical puppies we be happy to see you. 

Hello, Again

It was 1997 when I arrived to Atlanta and routinely I would take GA-400 going south. Traffic going south was  then  rather fluid though less lanes were open. And going north, especially if it was early in the morning, traffic was low and basically composed of caravans of double height old vans, packed with towers of ladders tied I don't know how with an infinite army of construction workers inside. The same spectacle could be seen all over the city's main highways. These were the vans that belonged to Hispanics rushing to their job sites: they were building Atlanta.

Hispanics had been arriving in herds since pre-Olympic times, they were rushing to comply with all the construction that was needed; venues, hotels, roads..., houses for the newcomers lured with cheap prices in a city exploding with well paid job offers of all types.

Their place of arrival was mainly Chamblee. The apartments were there and diversity was welcomed.

Soon they started to frequent the already established Buford Highway Flea Market, right there, in the heart of Chamblee, turning it into a "Mexican-Plaza" type of place. They would shop, mingle, get a hair cut, and have a delicious meal. It became home for them then, and keeps on being home for them today.

Yes money was pouring from their weekly construction jobs, and yes they would go to the Buford Highway Flea Market to spend it - after sending some home. Many successful merchants saw their start-ups flourish there, even  the small ones, the ones with only one twelve by twelve booths! Many of them are still there, after 25 years, since the place opened its doors in what used to be a chain department store that closed it doors, leaving the space to see new life.

Today the Buford Highway Flea Market is not much different. It is still an amazing cultural experience for non-Hispanics; the noise is Hispanic, the music is Hispanic, the language of the customers is Hispanic, the delicious food is Hispanic, a place like no other. The Flea Market became a landmark for the Hispanic community that visit it weekend after weekend. Still a place where they buy, mingle, get a hair-cut, have a great meal, and have fun. Yes, the Payasita Chispita (clown) is now a staple that entertains equally kids and adults with all sorts of alternatives, including Karaoke contests, where you might see the next "Hispanic Idol" singing a wonderful ranchera. First it was mainly a male-macho crowd, the hat-mustache-boots one, but today it is them, their wives, and their English speaking children. They have planted their roots in the country, and the Flea Market is still  their place.