The goal of 801 Swap Meet is to not only act as a place for locals to sell their goods, but also as a community center filled with events and festivities. Photo by Angy Rod.
A new beginning for the 801 Swap Meet is underway along North Temple. This new space has become a place for entrepreneurs and families in the Salt Lake City community.
Located at 1055 West North Temple, the market offers opportunities for local vendors to not only sell their wares, but also to gather, connect, and share with their community. It also gives them a chance to celebrate their unique cultural traditions.
Currently, the market has around 340 vendor booths, where a wide variety of products can be found. In this type of market, commonly known as “swap meets,” you can find items such as clothing, traditional attires, leather products, accessories, household goods, inexpensive electronics, toys, beauty products, prepared foods, imported items, handmade crafts, and other various products at affordable prices. The possibilities are truly endless.
Roughly 340 vendors set up shop every weekend at the 801 Swap Meet, offering an eclectic taste of all sorts of goods. Photo by Angy Rod.
Every weekend, more than 3,000 visitors attend the 801 Swap Meet. On event weekends or special occasions, the swap meet has sometimes seen more than 5,000 attendees during the day.
Jaime Flores, manager of the 801 Swap Meet, says that the project came about as an opportunity for many vendors who were looking for a new place to continue their businesses. “There were people who were left without a space to sell their products, and the opportunity arose for them to come here with us. Many vendors who were on Redwood Road came to the 801 and now they are working and are very happy to be here with us,” Flores explained.
The vision of the 801 Swap Meet is to be a place of community coexistence. Beyond sales, the goal is to create a meaningful space for the community. With that vision in mind, Jaime and his team plan and organize different activities and celebrations for families throughout the year. In fact, Jaime says they try to provide a special event every month so that community members can come together and connect.
For example, during the month of April, the swap meet hosted a Children’s Day festival, where they had live wrestling, gifts, activities, and contests for children. Additionally, a special event to celebrate Mother’s Day will take place on May 10.
The market also provides opportunities for community members to showcase their talents and cultural expressions. This includes performances by various dance groups, such as Aztec dancers, plus singers of all ages, from young children to adults. These presentations highlight cultural diversity and give local artists a space to share their skills and talents with the community while also celebrating their culture.
Besides traditional things found at swap meets — like clothes, accessories, and home goods — the 801 Swap Meet also features several booths that sell food. Photo by Angy Rod.
The purpose of the 801 Swap Meet is also to support small businesses and community entrepreneurs. “We always keep the doors open for people who want to start a business and move forward,” Flores said.
Although a large portion of visitors come from Latin American countries, the market is open to people of all cultures and nationalities, creating a space of coexistence and diversity.
For the organizers of the 801 Swap Meet, the main goal of the market is to create an environment where people can feel at home.
“We want people to feel like they are in a traditional market from our countries, where they can hear their language, share their culture, and enjoy our traditions,” Flores said.
The 801 Swap Meet is open on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Admission to the market costs $2 per person, while children under 12 years old, some elderly people, and people with disabilities can enter for free. In addition, parking is completely free, which makes it easier for entire families to visit.
Folks interested in selling products can rent a booth for a cost of $40, with options for both indoor and outdoor spaces. For food vendors, additional requirements apply due to city regulations.
To learn more about events and activities, the community can follow their social media on Facebook (“801 Swap Meet”) and Instagram (“801swapmeetoficial”) where announcements and celebrations for the whole family are posted regularly.
People interested in participating in events or sharing their talent can contact Jaime Flores directly at 385-529-8728.