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Back in the market to help veterans

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By LENORA LAKE

llake@tampatrib.com

Published: October 28, 2009

UNIVERSITY AREA - Weekends have meant 30 years of produce, house wares, clothing, hot breakfasts and bartering with vendors at the American Legion Flea Market.

The flea market crowd had meant a steady income for North Tampa Post 334, which owns the barracks-style building and the adjacent oak tree-filled lot at 929 E. 139th Ave.

But all changed in the past few years when vendors started leaving, nearby residents moved out and shoppers held tighter to their money in the deepening recession.

Add to it, the market's original manager, Dorothy Rowe, decided to retire about five years ago.

But since Oct. 1, Rowe, now 84, has been back. And she brought along two former vendors, Albert DeNucci, 81, and Barbara "Bobbie" DeNucci, 72, to help her bring life back to the market.

"We volunteered to lease the flea market," Bobbie DeNucci said. "We are doing it to save the post."

"The flea market is the only income the post has," said Albert DeNucci, a World War II veteran." Other posts have lounges and dances, but that isn't conducive to this area,"

The vendors

Many vendors, including Jill Atram, have been selling at the market for years.

Atram, who sells costume and silver jewelry for $1 to $75, has been there "off and on for 20 years," she said.

"I like the people here. The cost of rent is low, and it is therapeutic, too," Atram said.

Business has been down this year "as people are just trying to survive. But it is getting close to Christmas, and people like unusual stuff," she said.

"I don't make a million dollars," Atram said. "Even if I don't make any money, I always learn something."

Vendor Chris Gosselin sells groceries at the market for extra income. He also likes to walk through and shop each week.

"There are always old, interesting things. It's fun, family-oriented, and I know a lot of people," Gosselin said.

Return to glory

That family atmosphere is what Rowe and her partners said they are trying to bring back to the flea market, which has 30 booths inside the building and 105 spaces outside.

"A lot of dealers left when she left, and we are tying to get them back," said Bobbie DeNucci, who had an antiques booth for seven years.

James Seger, 59, a Vietnam War veteran, volunteered to oversee the flea market's snack bar, which is manned by volunteers from the post and its auxiliary. They bake biscuits, make sausage gravy and serve fresh-cooked french fries and hamburgers for breakfast if someone wants them.

"I do it for the American Legion, the veterans and the people in the military," Seger said.

Rowe, a retired military nurse, said former vendors and former shoppers are slowly returning. Some booths cater to a growing number of Hispanics from Mexico and South America who live in the community.

"We have a good response so far," Rowe said.

Returning to the market also was good for Rowe, Bobbie DeNucci said.

Three years ago, Rowe was robbed, brutally beaten and locked, unconscious, in a backyard metal shed by her great-nephew. She came to, kicked the door from the bottom, bent it up to crawl out and called police. During the ordeal, she suffered a broken nose and ribs and was bleeding from her head, arms and legs.

"This is a comeback for everybody," Bobbie DeNucci said. "It renewed her outlook on life; it was something she needed, too."

Correspondent Lenora Lake can be reached at (813) 259-7662.

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