Langford’s Western Speedway has hosted the Westshore Swap and Shop for decades, but with the speedway now out of commission, the flea market has had to find somewhere else to plant its roots.
The weekly event held on Sundays will henceforth be held at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre in the library parking lot.
If you want to buy or sell vintage, clothing, antiques, oddities and other miscellaneous goods, there is no better place to do so.
Sean Chewka and Brendan Hogg created the Swap and Shop initially, as a way to sell the wares they would buy at storage locker auctions. They quickly realized they were on to something special that they wanted to invite more community members to be a part of.
Their goal was to create a market that was fun for folks of all ages and most importantly, to make it accessible to vendors. For the Westshore Swap and Shop, there isn’t a long application and approval process, vendors simply pay $30 per Sunday they want to set up.
The founders even provide tents and tables for vendors who can’t bring their own.
“We wanted to keep the Swap and Shop tradition alive, while creating something new and fun for our community and I think we’ve done it,” said Chewka.
“If you think the Westshore Swap and Shop is doing great so far – just wait until you see what we have coming next,” Hogg added.
In its newly found location, Hogg and Chewka will also be incorporating a farmers market, food trucks and a ‘Kids Korner’ for children with entrepreneurial spirit to sell wares of their own with no vendor fee.
Westshore Swap and Shop
- Where: Juan De Fuca Recreation Center in the Public Library Parking Lot, 1759 Island Highway
- When: Every Sunday until September 3rd, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Admission: $2 or a non-perishable Food Bank donation, kids are free
