"A Shopping Experience Unlike Any Other"

     "It'll be a shopping experience unlike any other in South Texas."
     That's how the new Traders Village Marketplace was described by its planners back in 2009 when the project got under way.  At the time, Grand Prairie, Texas-based retailer had just announced plans to develop its signature "flea-market and more" style marketplace on 290 acres of land along Old Pearsall Road and Loop 410 in Southwest San Antonio, incidentally, less than five minutes from Hidden Valley.  
     A mix of the bargain buys of the traditional flea market with year round entertainment - including festivals and live music events.  The Grand Prairie Traders Village boasts more than 3500 dealers and over 3 million patrons each year. 
     Trader's Village website describes it this way:  

     "Known as America's largest and most visited weekend flea markets; Traders village is a 21st Century hybrid of the old fashion sway meet with a contemporary flare for entertainment and family fun.  It's a nostalgic glimpse back to a time when small businesses were the norm and haggling with the shop owner brought surprising bargains.  Traders Village Marketplace - San Antonio will have all of the exciting elements that have made Traders Village a Lone Star landmark synonymous with value and fun for almost 40 years.  The original Traders Village opened in 1973, strategically placed between Dallas and Fort Worth on more than 80 acres of farmland in Grand Prairie, Texas and is today at more than 175 acres and growing.  From tires, tools and old tractors, to fresh produce, furniture, jewelry and junk, the market soon became a destination for shoppers looking for deals and an occasional treasure from thousands of mom and pop vendors."

     A second Village opened in Houston in 1989 and currently has 2500 dealers and brings in about 1 million shoppers each year.

     Village officials are optimistic about San Antonio's Village and they've already leased over 500 units/spaces for vendors in advance.  The land reportedly can accommodate over 1000 vendors.  As with the other 2 villages, San Antonio's will eventually have a resort style RV Park and campground including cabins.  
     Traders Village San Antonio will have a busy calendar of events including free concerts, a chili cook off, car club events, wood carver shows and more.  
     The first scheduled event will be the Indian Pow Wow.  The fall line up of events consists of a Day of the Dead event and Santa Clause will be at the market from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas.  Next spring many more events are scheduled to kick in.  For more info visit their website HERE. 
We're excited to be so close to this old fashioned marketplace of colossal proportions.