The flea market reboot hasn’t happened as planned despite much anticipation from residents.

Tallahassee Flea Market Exchange organizers blamed permit problems as the culprit but didn’t offer any specifics or a timeline to relaunch.

“Right now, we’re working through a few permitting issues that have taken a little longer than expected,” according to a Facebook post by the group. “These things aren’t always simple, but we’re making steady progress to make sure everything is done the right way.”

The Facebook post went on to ask residents for patience, adding “we truly appreciate your support and excitement — it means a lot.”

The new flea market was slated to open at 4721 Capital Circle Southwest, less than a mile from the former flea market location and across the street from a small gas station. The new location is next door to Coastal Custom Services.

In a September interview with the Democrat, Eugene Larry, president of the Tallahassee Flea Market Exchange, said the tentative goal was to open Oct. 10 through Oct. 12 and operate Friday through Sunday every week.

He said 50 to 60 vendors “are ready to go if I opened the door tomorrow” and said radio advertisements were to begin airing on local stations.

But Oct. 10 has come and gone.

Records obtained by the Tallahassee Democrat indicate the flea market coordinators were notified three months ago about what was and wasn’t considered an allowable use of the property.

Mathieu Cavell, a spokesman for Leon County, said the applicant applied for a Permitted Use Verification for the flea market on Aug. 6.

“This PUV was issued as ineligible on August 21st. It was ineligible because retail is not an allowable use in the Light Industrial (M-1) zoning district,” said Cavell, in an email to the Democrat.

The site was supposed to be the much-anticipated alternative after the long-time Tallahassee Flea Market on Capital Circle Southwest closed earlier this year after more than 40 years. It was forced to close after January’s unprecedented snow and ice storm caused significant structural damage — leaving vendors scrambling for alternative sites and residents with fewer options for fresh, affordable produce on Tallahassee’s south side.

This is the second time in recent months a new flea market location was announced and hasn’t panned out. The first location was the Tallahassee Car Museum, but the venue said the location was never confirmed.

So, where do things stand with the new proposed location?

It can still operate at the new location on Capital Circle Southwest but only on a temporary basis. Cavell said the county’s staff offered a “Temporary Use Permit” that could allow up to 60 days of retail operation at that site. But the applicant didn’t pursue that option, he said.

Instead, another location is being considered at 5881 W. Tennessee Street, where retail use is permissible. A PUV has been submitted, and the application is under review.

“As an aside, those parcels are within the County’s Gum Road Target Planning Area (TPA), and the County is waiving applicable permit fees in the targeted area to encourage investment,” Cavell said. “This incentive applies to permitted uses at compliant sites. Staff remains engaged with the applicant.”

Larry declined comment for this article and referred to the exchange’s statement. He said interested vendors can contact 850-756-8852. A website is underway and the exchange’s Facebook page lists an email address of Tallyfleamarket@gmail.com.

Contact Economic Development Reporter TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@Tallahassee.com and follow @TaMarynWaters on X.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee flea market location hits permit snag