"I remember going to the Hollis Flea market for my first time in July 1970. It was all a one sided flea market back then.The parking lot was on the same side as the flea market. The other side of the street was trees only. However in June 1978,when i was fifteen,I visited the Hollis Flea market again and I remembered how it had somewhat grown. It was still a one sided flea market but I can recall how the other side of the street now had the main parking lot there along with the Flea Barn. As of 1979,I began going to the flea market off and on from that year all the way up until 2003. I must say it has grown tremendously since 1980. In 1980 dealers started setting up on the same side as the Flea Barn which was the beginning of Brad and Dona's Flea market. I am not into collecting like I was through the years which is why I have not been to the flea market however I feel that after a few years of being away,it would be joyuful to revisit a flea market that i have greatly enjoyed through the years."
– Richard Banville - Dracut, Ma

"One of my best childhood memories is early Sunday mornings at the Hollis Flea Market with my family, collecting baseball cards, steamed hot dogs... makes me want to go there right now."
– Toby Arsenault, 36, Lyndeborough NH.

"I have taken my bike down to the Hollis Flea Market nearly every Sunday as long as I can remember; I always come home with a bargain and full belly. The thought of fresh fried dough gets me up in the morning"
– TJ Ebol, 34, Amherst

"As a lifelong resident of Hollis, 75% of everything I own I bought at the Flea Market. I love the dealer who sells Under Armour shirts. Thanks for the great memories not to mention bargains"
– Seth Tebbetts, 35, Hollis

"I am proudly a Hollis Lifer and also fondly recall my childhood spent at the market. I bought my first bike, baseball glove, stereo, and beanie baby at the flea market. I even went on my first 'date' (5th grade) at the Hollis Flea market. Thanks for the great memories"
– Jerry Jorgensen, 43, Hollis

"My mom and I rented a space at the Hollis Flea Market last summer (June 2006),we cleaned out the garage, attic and basement. We gathered/priced all our items loaded them in a truck and headed down to the market. It was the first time we had ever set up a booth at flea market... what a great experience! Everyone was extremely helpful and professional. We were set up by 7:00am and had sold everyone of our items by noon. I was in shock. We even sold one shoe! (true story) Mom and I had a great day of bargaining and we even did some shopping of our own. Thanks for the great flea market experience can't wait to do it again"!
– Amy Lyons, 35, Mom, age undisclosed, Bennington NH

"I can remember going to church in the morning with my parents then heading over to the flea market. My dad would get a coffee, and as a treat for being good in church, my sisters and I would each get a hot chocolate and a donut. Seems like just yesterday, only now I take my kids to the flea market for hot chocolate and donuts"!
– Matt LaBrecque, 36 Nashua

"As I hiked the Application Trail (summer 2004) I often wore my favorite Hollis Flea Market T-shirt (only have two) and was shocked how many people had heard of or had been to the flea market. And they always seemed to have a warm story about the place and would be a good conversation starter so I kept wearing them. Now when I take my Sunday flea stroll, considerable less than the 2,100 mile AT, I think about the friends I made while wearing a simple HFM t-shirt. Thanks!
– Scotty 'The Body' Souza, 38 Manchester
P.S. John, when are the 2007 t-shirts coming in?

"My first time to the HFM was quite an adventure as I had only been in the country a few weeks. I came over from England to teach and work at a summer camp in the lakes region, our first field trip was to the HFM. I had been to flea markets back in UK so was familiar with a proper market. We all had a great day of antiquing, eating fried dough (as we don't have fried dough back home) and chasing camp kids it turns out to be one of my first vivid America memories. That day I bought a 19th century French Armoire which still sits in my parlor.
I fell in love with the area, got married and now 20 years later still visit the market when I can, this time with my own children!"
– Tom Turner, 39 Dedham MA

If you have a similar success story about the Hollis Flea Market that you would like to contribute to our page, please e-mail us at john@hollisflea.com.