S.J. flea market payment helps vendors stay afloat amid search for new location

SAN JOSE HAS recently received funds from the landowner of the Berryessa Flea Market to help transition vendors following last year’s City Council vote to rezone the property for future development.

The Bumb family, who owns the land, wired the first $500,000 installment of $5 million a few days before the Jan. 1 deadline to San Jose. This installment enables the city’s Office of Economic Development, the Berryessa Flea Market Vendors Association and advocates to set up an advisory committee to determine the flea market’s future. The group has met bi-monthly since the June vote and plans to use part of the initial allotment to hire consultants to help shape the scope, size and goals of the advisory committee and fund two studies.