Photo courtesy of Ashley Pena
By Ashley Pena
Valentine’s Day was as much crash as it was cuddles.
The Punk Rock Flea market hosted by independent record store Planet Retro Records made its roaring return to downtown St. Petersburg on Feb. 14.
For fans of punk subculture, community and music, strolling through the market was sweeter than any box of chocolates.
Walking into Planet Retro Records, I was met with an eclectic mix of vintage records, CDs, and cassettes. People of all ages perused the wide selection of physical media, with bins filled with the punky pins being particularly popular.
Photo courtesy of Ashley Pena
Outside the store, vendors lined the sidewalk and what is usually the parking lot.
First stop was ‘Beer! Yeah Beer!’, a booth selling beer themed magnets, art and t- shirts as well as upcycled beer labels, cans, and packaging.
Photo courtesy of Ashley Pena
To the right, racks of second-hand alternative clothing were being sifted through by market goers.
Further down was the vegan hot dog vendor that has become a staple in the punk rock flea market. This year, the booth was decorated with pink and red hearts. To fully fit the spirit of the day, the vegan hot dog stand featured a kissing booth raising money for accessible feminine hygiene products.
Photo courtesy of Ashley Pena
Booths of guitars, ethical taxidermy frames, more pins with even punkier messages and local downtown St. Petersburg tattoo parlor Atomic Tattoos weren’t all the market had to offer.
Rocking away in the alleyway behind the record store was local alternative band ‘The Drop Deads’ performing for a rambunctious daytime crowd.
Photo courtesy of Ashley Pena
Although the market only ran from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., the spirit of punk in St. Petersburg lingered on through the rosy cloud of Valentine’s Day. And it’s sure to linger on until it’s reignited for next year’s Punk Rock Flea Market.
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Written by: Ashley Pena on February 25, 2026.
Last revised by: Julia Ferrara