Some say you really haven’t experienced Roanoke until you’ve seen Happy’s Flea Market on Williamson Road, where all sorts of new and previously owned merchandise can be found.
Many of the vendors say it was their main source of income but things came to an abrupt halt recently for many sellers and patrons when the City of Roanoke shut down the Happy’s building, citing numerous safety violations that have not been fixed over a period of several years.
Those violations include a leaking roof that was a hazard and impacted the electrical system as well. There were also emergency exits that could not be easily accessed, gas heaters installed without a permit and combustible materials stored improperly onsite. Early in June the city shut Happy’s down and gave vendors a day to remove their merchandise. They could still set up in the parking lot outside as many do during the warmer months.
Roanoke City Director of Planning, Building and Development, Chris Chittum says Happy’s had been given plenty of notice over the past two years to address some of these issues. “The water coming through the roof is a big concern,” said Chittum on the day Happy’s was shut down. “We’ve given them a list of things that have to be done and they’ve essentially been non-responsive on that list of items.”
Chittum said he would be pleased if Happy’s could take care of those safety issues and reopen down the road: “ and we’d like to work with them to make that very thing happen.” He also said the city had “no problem” if vendors want to set up outside for now.
As for vendors who might have paid their rent ahead and are having trouble getting it back, Chittum called that a “civil matter” between them and the owner – it’s not an issue Roanoke would be involved with.
In the meantime a new flea market location on West Main Street in Salem in the old 84 Lumber building is about to open; the owners hope some of the displaced Happy’s vendors make their way over there. “The ball is in their court,” said Chittum of Happy’s, “and they have a clear list of things that need to be done to get the building back into shape.”
Gene Marrano
