NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla — Displaced vendors from the Shell Factory have found a new marketplace at the North Fort Myers Elks Lodge. Last year, some vendors relocated to Paradise Vintage Market after the Shell Factory closed, but space was limited. Now, many of the remaining vendors have set up shop at the Elks Lodge, turning it into a bustling flea market.
Watch Community Correspondent Austin Schargorodski’s report:
‘It’s a big relief’: Displaced Shell Factory vendors set up at North Fort Myers Elks Lodge
On Saturday, the Elks Lodge parking lot sparkled with vibrancy and energy, as tables overflowed with handcrafted treasures and antique gems waiting to be discovered. For many, including Don Payton, this market offers not just a place to sell, but an invitation to reclaim a sense of belonging. After spending over a decade at the Shell Factory, his world was turned upside down in an instant when it closed its doors unexpectedly.
“It was a shock to everybody,” Payton shared, reflecting the disbelief that resonated among his fellow vendors. “We’d been there for so long, and then one day, she just decided to close the place and left us without a home.”
Yet now, amidst the colorful stalls and familiar faces, there lies a newfound stability. “It’s a big relief knowing we have a home now,” he expressed with a sense of gratitude that could be felt in his voice. “A place we know we can go, know exactly where it is, and can get set up and ready to go.” Here, within the walls of the Elks Lodge, they have forged not just a marketplace, but a community.
An aerial view reveals the heart of this flea market—rows of vendors, each with their own story, interwoven like the rich tapestry of goods they offer.
The revitalization of this communal space is a testament to the vision of Donna Primavera and Carl Boscarino from the Elks Lodge, whose willingness to step forward has breathed new life into the vendor community. With earnest smiles, they welcomed each vendor, recognizing the importance of their presence.
“We’re very happy to have them,” Primavera noted, her pride evident. “And obviously, by today’s turnout, you can see it’s very profitable for the vendors. It helps our lodge raise money so we can continue our works of charity with the vets and the homeless.” It’s a partnership that speaks to the heart of community spirit, blending commerce with compassion.
The flea market thrives every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to around noon, and Primavera hints at even more growth in the future, as they clear space to accommodate additional vendors. As the sun rises and sets over the Elks Lodge, it seems the marketplace will continue to flourish, drawing in visitors and locals alike in search of unique finds and meaningful connections.
