JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Pecan Park Flea and Farmers Market opened for the first time Saturday since a large section of it was destroyed in a fire.
Sixty vendor units burned down in the fire late Monday night.
The market’s management worked throughout the week to be able to open this weekend, and Saturday it was back to business as usual at the Pecan Park Flea and Farmer’s Market.
Vendors were open and people were shopping five days after flames lit up the night sky.
Vendor Terresa says, “It's just sad, it's devastating but what are you going to do, you know? You just got to pick yourself up and start all over again.”
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One of the vendors starting over is Willie Wiley.
Action News first spoke to Wiley Thursday when he found out he had lost over $15,000 of merchandise in the fire. Saturday he was setting up a table to sell the electronics he has left.
Wiley says, “We’re trying to hold it together, keep it together and try to put all the pieces of the puzzle in one basket, shake it and see what comes out.”
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The area destroyed by the fire has been condemned. It had to be blocked off in order for the market to open Saturday. It’s now surrounded by a fence, which stretches over 1,500 feet. The market also had to get a new electrical permit.
That happened late Friday night and Saturday the lights were back on as people rolled in
Wiley says, “I went out and got a couple of pieces, so I'm going to try and sell those and make the best of it.”
By 11:30 a.m. nearly 800 cars had entered the market. Over 2,000 were expected by the end of the day. That's good news for people like Wiley who after a tough week are just looking to get back to work.
WJAX
