OUR MISSION

AS A NEW AND EMERGING FLEA MARKET OUR MISSION IS TO CREATE A SAFE, FUN, AND PROFITABLE EVENT FOR POC, LGBTQ+, AND ALLIES. WE HAD OUR FIRST EVENT AT MY GRANDMAS STORE IN THE CITY OF WHITTIER IN 2020 WITH ONLY 30 VENDORS. SINCE 2020 OUR COMMUNITY AND EVENT HAVE GROWN TO 200 + VENDORS PER EVENT THANKS TO OUR STRONG AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY OF VENDORS AND ATTENDEES. 

562 FLEA’S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A PLACE FOR ARTISTS AND EMERGING SMALL BUSINESSES TO GROW AND NETWORK. AS A FIRST-GENERATION BUSINESS OWNER AND SON OF IMMIGRANT BUSINESS OWNERS I KNOW FIRSTHAND THE ADVERSITY THAT COMES WITH ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS A POC. IT IS MY MISSION TO BE A HELPING HAND TO OTHERS LIKE MYSELF. I GREW UP VISITING LOCAL SWAP MEETS AND FLEA MARKETS WITH MY FAMILY AND THAT EXPERIENCE WAS A STAPLE IN MY CHILDHOOD.  IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO CREATE SOMETHING THAT YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBORS COULD ALSO ENJOY.

AS A FIRST-GENERATION AMERICAN BUSINESS OWNER I UNDERSTAND THE POSITIVE IMPACT A COMMUNITY CAN HAVE ON A BUSINESS. IT IS OUR MISSION @562FLEA TO GIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND PROVIDE CONNECTIONS THAT CAN HELP THEM GROW. WE PRIORITIZE AND CELEBRATE OUR UNIQUE AND DIVERSE COMMUNITY BECAUSE INEQUALITY AND UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR HAVE NO HOME IN OUR MARKET.  

SINCE DAY ONE I HAVE SAID “BY POC FOR POC” 

- ANDRES VEGA

DIRECTOR