Feature Search

HotSpot flea market boasts big bargains

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anthony Jennings
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Have an upcoming Permanent Change of Station and need to get rid of some things? Recently arrived on station and don't feel like hunting for garage sales? The monthly flea market may be the solution.

The Andersen HotSpot hosts a flea market every third Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the HotSpot Gym.

Open to anyone with access to the base, the flea market offers bargain hunters a centralized location to look for great deals on a variety of items.

"It's a good thing for the base community as opposed to garage sales, where you'd have to wake up early in the morning and drive through base housing to find one," said Tech. Sgt. Max Pontenila, 36th Force Support Squadron community activities NCO-in-charge. "At least here it's at one location, so if one vendor doesn't have what you're looking for, well there's a guy right next to him. It gives people the option to look around and browse through all the goods available to them."

The flea market could be a great tool for anyone looking to get rid of excessive items in their house before a PCS. It also provides an outlet for those hoping to profit from selling goods.

"It's a great place to make some extra cash selling items you no longer need, or you can go there to shop for some great bargains," said Ralph Ridgeway, 36th Force Support Squadron. "I know my wife is always telling me we have too much junk around the house and we need to get rid of it."

Vendors must reserve a table by noon of the Friday before the event at $10 per table. All proceeds the HotSpot receives will be returned to the community to help advance future programs and prizes.

"It's a non-appropriated fund generated income," Sergeant Pontenila said . "So whatever we take in we pump right back into the community. It's a win-win situation for us because it gives our facility more visibility and provides our customers the ease of finding what they may be looking for."

One may find collectibles like coins, stamps, action figures, furniture, small appliances, clothing, plants, tools, CDs, movies, books and more. The list is endless and it changes from month to month depending on who is there selling.

"One man's junk is another man's treasure," Mr. Ridgeway said . "What you think may be junk and useless, just might be something someone else has been searching for."