The new owner of the Bargersville Flea Market had hoped to reopen Sunday, but the town’s red tape is keeping him from doing so, he said.
After a private meeting with town officials, new owner Charlie Milam discovered he would have to apply for a special use variance to operate a flea market on the commercial property, he said.
It is set to be considered at a Bargersville Board of Zoning Appeals meeting July 27, said Laura Kennedy, spokesperson for the town.
Without the variance or the assurance that it will be passed, Milam is unsure when he will be able to reopen the flea market. But the Bargersville businessman isn’t giving up and still hopes to open the flea market this year, he said.
The Bargersville Flea Market shuttered about a year ago after concerns about new solicitor fees and the cost to update facilities prompted its previous owner to shut it down abruptly.
Milam purchased the property adjacent to his Bargersville car lot, Milam’s Used Cars, with the hope of reviving the flea market that drew thousands to the small town for nearly 50 years. An estimated 250 vendors would set up shop every weekend through the summer.
The previous owners were operating the market in the commercial-zoned property under a similar variance, but since the market has been closed for a year, the variance has lapsed and Milam must reapply, Kennedy said. The variance is needed because a flea market is not a permitted use for general commercial property under the town’s zoning ordinance.
A flea market is classified as an open air business, which is only allowed to open in a general commercial zone with a special use variance, according to the ordinance.
Only a handful of businesses are not allowed to open without the exception, including open air businesses, pawn shops, commercial outdoor recreation, sexually oriented businesses and parking garages, the ordinance says.
Milam feels the town is targeting the flea market and doesn’t want him to reopen it, he said. Since the flea market already had the variance, it should be grandfathered in, he said.
“They are really trying to put screws to me,” Milam said. “I don’t know why but they are.”
If the variance is approved and Milam abides by the requirements of the ordinance, the town is fine with the flea market opening, Kennedy said.
Milam has a plan in place to address some previous concerns of the town and Johnson County Health Department, he said.
Since market-goers park across State Road 135, he has hired a crossing guard to help them cross the highway safely, Milam said. A security guard will also walk the aisles at the market to check for stolen merchandise and guard against shoplifters, he said.
Going forward, no outside food vendors will be allowed in, Milam said. To make sure no food is sold at the market, he will have goods inspected before vendors set up, he said.
Milam plans to eventually set up a licensed food stand to be run by friends who formerly owned a restaurant, he said. Those plans will be finalized later, after it is determined whether the flea market can reopen, he said.
Milam will also require vendors to clean up after themselves when they leave, and will hold them accountable if they do not, he said.
