The Ultimate Guide to the Buffalo Super Flea Market

Exploring the Vast Offerings at the Buffalo Super Flea Market

The Buffalo Super Flea market, located in Hamburg, NY, is one of the largest and most popular flea markets in the western New York area. Covering over 450,000 square feet with thousands of vendors, the Buffalo Super Flea truly has something for everyone. Shoppers can find great deals on new and used goods, from antiques, collectibles, and crafts to fresh produce, prepared food, household items, clothing, and more. Keep reading to learn all about navigating this immense flea market and find tips to make the most out of your visit.

The History of the Buffalo Super Flea

The Buffalo Super Flea first opened its doors in 1988, founded by Edward Janulionis. It quickly became known as a premier flea market in the region, gaining popularity for its variety of vendors selling quality goods at bargain prices. Over the years, the Buffalo Super Flea has expanded to add more indoor shopping space, which provides customers with comfortable year-round treasure hunting. Today, the flea market contains over 800 booths and attracts over 3000 visitors on peak days. It has become a beloved local tradition for many shoppers across Western New York.

Getting Your Bearings at the Flea Market

Given the sheer size of the Buffalo Super Flea, it's easy to feel overwhelmed on your first visit. The best way to tackle this enormous flea market is to arm yourself with a map and have a game plan. The floor plan shows the locations of all the vendors sorted into different categories like collectibles, crafts, produce, discounted food, housewares, clothes, and more. It's smart to circle the booths and areas you most want to browse before setting out. Additionally, be sure to wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and have cash on hand for easier purchasing.

Types of Vendors and Merchandise

One of the Buffalo Super Flea's biggest draws is the staggering variety of goods offered. On any given day, you can find around 800 individual vendors selling wares inside the flea market's multiple buildings plus outdoors when weather permits. Expect to discover everything from handmade crafts, antiques, and collectibles to fresh local produce, new packaged goods, prepared food items, and more. Here's an overview of some of the main types of vendors you'll encounter during your flea market exploration:

Antiques and Collectibles

Antique lovers will be in heaven perusing the Buffalo Super Flea's many booths specializing in rare vintage pieces, antique furniture, decor, jewelry, glassware, and more. Popular items include art deco fixtures, carnival glass, antique signs, and retro gadgets. You can also find booths selling sports memorabilia, comic books, vinyl records, and other collectibles. Be prepared to carefully check items for damage prior to purchase.

Handmade Arts and Crafts

Local artisans and crafters set up shop at the flea market to sell their homemade wares spanning knitwear, quilts, candles, soaps, artwork, woodcrafts, jewelry, and much more. The quality and selection rivals many craft fairs. It's a great place to find unique handmade gifts and support local Buffalo-area crafters.

Fresh Produce

From early summer through fall, the Buffalo Super Flea devotes an entire section to local farmers and vendors selling fruits, vegetables, baked goods, flowers, plants, maple syrup, honey, and other seasonal offerings. Shoppers can find great deals on fresh-picked produce, jams, apple cider, pumpkins, and more. It's the perfect stop for seasonal ingredients when they're at their peak.

Housewares and Home Goods

Outfitting your home on a budget? The Buffalo Flea contains aisle after aisle stacked with affordable housewares, small appliances, cookware, furniture, home decor, linens, cleaning supplies, hardware, and just about everything else you could need around the house. Search carefully and you can discover nearly new condition items for a fraction of retail pricing.

Clothing and Accessories

For shoppers on the hunt for clothing, shoes, purses, jewelry, and other accessories, the Buffalo Super Flea will not disappoint. Find shoes for the family, leather jackets and bags, funky patterned tops and pants, sparkly jewelry, men's urbanwear, and odds and ends of plus-size clothing. While not all items are in perfect condition, the low prices make it worth digging for buried fashion gems.

Food and Entertainment

All that shopping is sure to work up an appetite! Luckily, the Buffalo Super Flea contains a large food court area with various vendors cooking up quick eats and drinks to fuel your flea market adventures. Options range from pizza, sausage and peppers, gyros, ice cream, funnel cakes, and more. Picnic tables are provided for taking a break. There are also occasional live music performances on the entertainment stage near the food court at certain times.

When to Visit

The Buffalo Super Flea is open every weekend of the year. Hours are from 8 AM to 4 PM on Saturdays and 9 AM to 3 PM on Sundays. For the best selection, early arrival is recommended to beat the crowds. Many vendors restock over the course of the weekend, so visiting both Saturday and Sunday can yield different finds. The market is busiest during the summer months while the winter is often less crowded. However, braving the cold can bring rewards in the form of reduced prices from vendors trying to unload extra inventory. Either season offers ample treasures waiting to be uncovered.

Bargaining Tips

The key to scoring great bargains at the Buffalo Super Flea is knowing when and how to negotiate. Most vendors expect customers to bargain, so don't be afraid to make an offer, especially if buying multiple items. Try asking for a lower price if you see small flaws or imperfections in merchandise. Bundling several lower cost items together to make a deal also works. Prices tend to dip later in the day as vendors slash prices to reduce inventory before closing. Kinder, polite negotiation is always best for ensuring a smooth transaction.

Finding Parking and Directions

The Buffalo Super Flea is located at 9070 Erie Rd, Hamburg, NY 14075. Abundant free parking is provided onsite for thousands of cars. Most GPS apps will accurately route you to the flea market. For first time visitors, the entrance can be easy to miss. When approaching on Erie Rd heading south, it will come up quickly on left just after the Milestrip Rd intersection. A large vertical sign reading "Buffalo Super Flea Market" marks the driveway entrance. Once parked, look for the main glass entry doors to access the indoor shopping areas.

Tips for an Enjoyable Flea Market Experience

A successful shopping adventure at the vast Buffalo Super Flea requires strategy and planning. Keep these tips in mind for making the most out of your visit:

• Arrive early for best selection.
• Bring cash for easier transactions.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes.
• Map out booths and areas of interest.
• Cover ground efficiently using a systematic route.
• Bring water and snacks to recharge.
• Carry a large tote bag to hold purchases.
• Be prepared to bargain with vendors.
• Inspect items closely before buying.
• Have fun treasure hunting!

The Buffalo Super Flea - A Shopper's Paradise

For over 30 years, the Buffalo Super Flea has reigned as Western New York's premier flea market destination. Its sheer size and variety of merchandise attract thousands of bargain shoppers each weekend. From antiques, crafts, produce, and housewares to clothing, collectibles, and food, the flea market contains row after row of treasures waiting to be found. While navigating the Buffalo Super Flea can seem daunting at first, going in with a strategy and open mind will lead to a fruitful and entertaining experience. Shoppers leave tired but rewarded, with wallets full and vehicles loaded after a satisfying day of flea market success. So come explore the vast offerings and make exciting finds at this uniquely Buffalo tradition!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.