A $1,000 (Longaberger) Basket Case…

Evey year I get like this. We’re three weeks out, and I start to worry about the MV Big Flea.

Will we have enough stuff to sell? (The warehouse looks a little empty to me.) Will we reach our fundraising goal? (We still have $11K to go.) Will it rain on April 30th?

In other words, I’m basket case.

But baskets seem to be our business lately. 95 Longaberger baskets, to be precise. That’s what we recently received as a donation; I was shocked to see how much they sell for on Ebay!

So that’s exactly where we’ve listed our collection for sale . Is $1,000 for 95 baskets a pipe dream? Stay tuned (and thank you to our generous donor, who remains nameless).

Remember, this Saturday is one of our last Shop N Drop days. Stop and unload a few items, or browse through our marvelous merchandise and buy a few things you don’t need. We’re located at 719 N Saint Asaph Street in Old Town and open from 2-4pm.  All the cool kids are doing it!

Check Out These Legs!!!

OK, so the headline is pretty much a gag.  I mean table legs, of course (what a dirty mind you have). The MV Big Flea has been collecting a TON of furniture over the last few weeks, some of it pictured below.  Click on the “For Sale” sign at left for more deals!

Come by our Shop N Drop store this and every Saturday in March and April.  We’re open from 2-4pm on Saturday and located at 719 N St Asaph Street in Old Town.  And just remember, Shop N Drop means you can drop off donations AND buy some stuff you don’t need.  We can also PICK UP your junque! To schedule a pickup, please contact our Curator Cynthia Webster at websterbigflea@gmail.com.

See you on Saturday!

Big Flea Starts Collecting on November 13th!

Don’t even think of tossing anything out before the holidays!

Alexandria’s most popular fundraiser is gearing up for another successful run and we need your junque!  Last year, we collected a tractor-trailer of treasures and raised $25,665 for the education programs of Mount Vernon Community School PTA.

We’re gearing up for the 2011 Big Flea, which will be held on April 30th.  We will hold two “Shop N Drop” days in 2010: Saturday, November 13 and December 11.

They’re a perfect time to clear clutter and nail down a final 2010 tax break (all donations are tax deductible).  Click here for a 2011 schedule and other important information about this year’s event (suitable for framing).

To donate on November 13, please bring your items to 114 E Raymond Ave (b/w Mt. Vernon and Dewitt Avenues, at the back of the Suntrust Bank parking lot).  We will hold additional “Shop N Drop” days in Jan-Feb and every Saturday in March and April!  Click here for our 2011 schedule of important dates and FAQs.

“The 2010 Big Flea exceeded all our expectations,” said Big Flea wordsmith Joseph LaMountain.  “We crushed all our fundraising records and had a record volunteer and shopper turnout.  I’m looking forward to another fantastic event in 2011, but we’ll need your help to make it a success.”

For more information about donating, or scheduling a pickup, contact Cynthia Webster at websterbigflea@gmail.com.  Thank you for your support!  Now let’s get the bug!!!

MV Big Flea & The Fleaview are THIS WEEKEND!!!

After months of planning, collecting, cajoling, begging and pleading the BIG day is just 48 hours away!!

We hope you will join us on Saturday, April 24 for the 4th annual MV Big Flea and on Friday for our special preview event called The Fleaview.

The MV Big Flea will be held at the Mount Vernon Community Center, 2701 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305.  The event is indoors and it will be held Rain or Shine!  Here are our hours of operation:

8:00am – Early Admission ($10 entry fee)
9:00am – General Admission (free)
12noon – Everything 50% off
2:00pm – Everything FREE

Please note that we do not accept credit cards and only accept checks from individuals that we know.

If you want a sneak peek at our items for sale, then come to the Fleaview on Friday between 7 and 8pm.  Also held at the MV Rec Center, the Fleaview is also a party with food, beverages and entertainment.

Remember, MV Big Flea and Fleaview proceeds benefit the Mount Vernon Community School PTA’s enrichment and education programs.  We hope to see you this weekend!

5 Gems Hidden Among the Junque….

Looking for a great bargain?  We’ve got them!  And to make things even more interesting, we’ve decided to offer ridiculously low prices on 5 great items at the MV Big Flea!  We call them our “gems among the junque.”

We’ll place these items in plain view with all our other treasures.  If you’re the first one to find it, it’s yours!  What better incentive to come to The Fleaview or early admission to the MV Big Flea!

Here’s our super duper bargains:

1. Sex in the City DVDs (Seasons 1-6) – $9 (retail value $100+)

2. Vintage Longaberger Basket – $19 (retail value of $100+)

3. Vintage Coach Shoulder Bag – $9 (retail value $65)

4. French Crystal Bowl (w/tag) – $9 (retail value $59)

5. Lego Bionicle (Battle of Metru Nui) – $9 (retail value $59)

Of course, we’ll have many other gems among the junque.  So don’t miss The Fleaview this Friday for a sneak peek at everything that’s for sale and, of course, the Big Flea on Saturday morning!

We Don’t Even Know What We Have!

You know what I like best about the MV Big Flea?  We never know what’s going to be for sale until the day of the event!

For the last few months, we’ve been collecting great items.  We’ve posted many photos, and sold a fair number of things too.  But we have 10X as many things in storage, many of which we have not even examined ourselves.

How many things?  How about a 10′ x 10′ x 20′ room completely filled with boxes?  How about another space, the size of a family garage, crammed with boxes and other items?

On Friday, April 23 all these boxes will be unloaded for the very first time.  Their contents will be spread throughout the MV Rec Center and offered for sale on Saturday morning.  Don’t miss your chance for a wonderful bargain!

OMG…The MV Big Flea is This Weekend!!

Get ready for Northern Virginia’s biggest flea market fundraiser, the MV Big Flea!!!

For the last three months, parents at the Mount Vernon Community School have collected thousands of treasures.  On Saturday, April 24, everything will be sold at the MV Big Flea.

All the proceeds will be used to support education and enrichment programs at the school.  We have hundreds of great bargains on everything you need and want!  Click here to see items from last year’s event.

And don’t miss The Fleaview on Friday, April 23 from 7-8pm.  The Fleaview gives you a sneak peek at all the items that will be for sale on Saturday morning.  But it’s also a party with food from the Evening Star restaurant and others, and special entertainment!  All proceeds benefit the MV Community School.

The MV Big Flea opens for early admission at 8am on Saturday, April 24 ($10).  General admission (free) begins at 9am.  At noon, everything is 50% off its marked price and at 2pm everything is FREE!!!

For the Alexandria Patriot

This item, and many more, will be available for sale at the MV Big Flea on April 24th!  We hope to see you there!

Two Antique Chairs Added to the Mix

In the last ten days, the MV Big Flea has received two really nice antique chairs!

Both will be offered for sale at the MV Big Flea on Saturday, April 24.  That is, unless someone doesn’t snatch them up at our final donation/sales event this Saturday, April 17, at 1219 First Street in Alexandria!

The first is a mission-style armchair from the 1920s (left) in the style of Gustav Stickley.  The chair includes its original finish and its original wood and cane seat.  The remnants of a label on the lower leg indicate that it was made by the Hubbard and Eldredge company of Rochester, New York.

The second chair comes from the Sabbathday Shaker center near New Gloucester, Maine (right).  Hand manufactured in the 19th century, this Shaker-style rocking chair was a very popular style.  It retains its original finish and the cane seating is in remarkably good condition.

If you are interested in either chair, please contact Joe LaMountain at joseph.lamountain@gmail.com or visit us on Saturday between 2-4pm.  Or better yet, come to The Fleaview on Friday, April 23 from 7-8pm to get a sneak peek at the other items we have for sale!

Our Most Valuable Donation Ever!!!

The MV Big Flea is excited to report that it sold a commercial-grade nut roaster for $1,500.

This nearly triples our previous record for the most valuable item we’ve received, a rare 19th century Audubon print we sold for more than $500.

The nut roaster was donated by Amanda Lenk, whose daughter attended the Mount Vernon Community School.  Lenk obtained the nut roaster last year in an auction of commercial grade kitchen supplies.

“I really wanted the Hobart commercial grade mixing machine,” Amanda said, “but the nut roaster came with it in a package deal.”  Since Amanda didn’t have any interest in opening a nut shop, or whatever, she donated the nut roaster to the MV Big Flea.

The roaster, which sells for $3,200 when new, was manufactured by The Nutty Bavarian.  It was purchased through an online auction on Ebay by Mr. Ken Miller of Ellisville, Missouri.

“We can’t express enough our appreciation for Amanda’s incredible donation,” said MV Big Flea spokesperson Joseph LaMountain. “Thanks to her generosity, we’ve topped $10,000 in sales for this year’s event. We’re also poised to break our all-time record of $18,226 in sales (2008).”

Alexandria Bans Yard Sales in April

The Alexandria City Council passed unanimously an ordinance prohibiting yard sales in the city limits for the month of April, 2010.

The decision was widely seen as an effort to increase donations of items to the MV Big Flea, Alexandria’s premier charity flea market fundraising event.

“The educational success of our children is paramount,” said one member during Council deliberations.  “It’s imperative that Council do everything it can to support schools, PTAs and parents.  This new policy is one small way we can help.”

The ordinance, which takes effect on April 1, will be in effect for the entire month. It was originally proposed by the city’s Youth Policy Commission as a way to improve the lives of Youth in Alexandria.  Those found in violation of the law face a summons and a fine not to exceed $100.

“We’re thrilled with the Council’s action,” said Big Flea Prankster Joseph LaMountain.  “As we’ve said all along, yard sales are a big waste of time.  It’s so much easier to donate items to the MV Big Flea, and take a tax deduction, than organize a sale.  We’re glad Council agrees and has taken this important action.”

The MV Big Flea will be held on April 24, 2010.  A special preview will be held on Friday, April 23.  Donations are being accepted from 2-4pm on Saturday April 3, 10 and 17 at our storage facility at 1219 First Street in Alexandria; donations can also be made from 9am – 3pm on Friday, April 23 at the MV Rec Center.

We Heart the Elands!

This is what I absolutely love about the MV Big Flea.

On Saturday, Bridget and Shawn Eland stopped by to see if we would accept a couple shelving units. They heard about the Flea from coworker Barbara Fox, who donated some nice furniture a few weeks ago. Since Bridget and Shawn live across the street, they decided to donate to our worthy cause.

And did they ever donate. It turns out that Shawn and Bridget are moving back to Wisconsin and they had an apartment of items to give us. In addition to 6 shelving units, they donated a leather-style club chair with ottoman, two more ottomans, a swish leather-style sofa (as seen in photo), a desk and two barstools and more!!!

Best of all, they were all in perfect condition! Bridget even insisted on wiping them down before taking them to the Flea Shoppe!  Now that’s what I call taking care of your things!

Many thanks to Bridget and Shawn for their very generous donation, as well as to Barbara Fox for sending them our way. Please spread the word and help us collect even more great items for our huge event on April 24th!

My Giant Iron Rooster (and $6,000)

The MV Big Flea had another strong day of donations and sales yesterday.  We sold $415 worth or merchandise at our “store” (1219 First Street, Alexandria), bringing the total amount we’ve raised to $6,000!

We also received a ton of great donations.  Among my favorites?  A beautiful antique sideboard, a sideboard and hutch, foosball table, high-end Graco baby stroller, artwork, a 37-piece set of handmade Mexican dishware, small appliances, electronics, toys and games, garden gear and more, more, more!

But my personal favorite is the cast iron rooster.  But Mimi and the girls have already said, “no way, Jose.”

So many people dropped by yesterday, it’s hard to keep track of who was there.  Lori Ludwig donated for the third straight week while Susan and Doug Rutherford made their second stop.  Jeff Asch and Azeb Kifle, Justin Wilson and Alex Crawford Batt, Kim Winters and Beth Temple were just a few who gave generously yesterday.

We’ll be open next Saturday, March 27, for another day of donations and sales.  Please come visit us at 1219 and be sure to bring some items to donate, not to mention cash for some goodies you can’t live without!

Some Awsome Donations…

The MV Big Flea Store was open today from 2-4pm.  Not only did we receive some great donations, we made more than $400 in sales!

This brings our 2010 total to nearly $5,000 so far.  Let’s keep up the great work.

The Big Flea Store is located at 1219 First Street, behind the Route 1 McDonald’s near Braddock Road Metro Station.  We’re open for business from 2-4pm every Saturday until April 16.

Come on over and make a donation and/or browse our wares.  And make sure to tell your friends!

I think our nicest donation today was a circa 1870 American chest of drawers in fantastic condition .  We also received a pair of near-new Trek hybrid bicycles, electronics, children’s furniture, games, and yes, three Christmas trees.

Many thanks to everyone who dropped off, picked up, volunteered or spent their hard earned cash!

Here are some photos of items we received today….

Check Out Our Fancy Artwork!

Once again, the MV Big Flea has received a very generous donation of (sniff, sniff) fancy artwork!  If you recall, two years ago we received a generous donation of an oversized Audubon print dating from the 1800s.

This year, we’ve received a very collectible serigraph print by famed Austrian-born Israeli artist Itzchak Tarkay.  Titled “Faces” shows influences of Henri Toulouse-Lautrec and Edgar Degas.

Produced in a limited edition of 400, the print is signed in pencil by the artist and has been beautifully framed and matted.  It measures 19×21 with the image sized approximately 8×10 inches.  The condition is like new and has never been hung.

We’re not quite sure of the value of this item.  Tarkay’s original works, such as watercolor and acrylic paintings, can sell for tens of thousands of dollars.  Lithographs and serigraphs regularly sell in the hundreds of dollars, so we’ve priced this print at $249 and are currently selling it on eBay and Craigslist.

If interested, please let us know!