The Trendsetting Magic of Forgotten Flea: A Haven for CT’s best Vintage
COMING OFF A HUGELY BUSY SUMMER AND RUNNING STRAIGHT INTO A JAM PACKED FALL MARKET SEASON WE HAD THE CHANCE TO CATCH UP WITH METTAO OF FORGOTTEN FLEA. METTAO’S BEEN SETTING UP SOME OF THE MOST HAPPENING EXPERIENCES ALL OVER THE STATE AND THE CAFETERIA TEAM HAD TO KNOW MORE AHEAD OF OUR COLLABORATION THIS SATURDAY AT THE CAF BY CAFETERIA.
Shots of a Forgotten Flea at the State House
CAFETERIA MEDIA: We’ve been aware of Forgotten Flea for a bit and it seems like things have developed since it kicked off, how’d it all get started?
METTAO: I started the fleas about 3 summers ago now. The homie Philly @phl0rida__phil put together the first CT market at Heavens skate park. I was apart of it as a vendor and was hella proud that CT finally had SOMETHING like that. I hit Philly about a week later letting him know I was gonna do another market in New Haven & the rest was history.
A Summer Forgotten Flea at New Haven’s Edgewood Skatepark. Photo by @looseams
CAFETERIA MEDIA: Its been exciting to see the reception of these events, whether at On Earth up here in Hartford, or any of the markets at the State House (RIP), what do you think has made the events so well received?
METTAO: I think the Forgotten Flea is popular for a few reasons- it’s the only thing like it in Connecticut. Where else can you go vintage shopping with 25+ curated selections all under one roof? Besides it being the only market CT really has, I think the diversity of the market and our vendors, its inclusive attitude & low price points make it a real hit. Pieces are selling as low as $5 every single market. There’s really something for everyone.
CAFETERIA MEDIA: That all rings super true and we know how hard that can be. What is next for ya’ll?
METTAO: After this Saturday at the Caf, our very next market will be taking place back in New Haven. The flyer & application for that will be dropping Hella soon. After that, I’m not too sure. We’ve been spitballing some ideas these last few months. I think we may want to test the waters outside of Connecticut in the near future. Where would you guys like to see us go?
CAFETERIA MEDIA: Maybe New Britain? Anyway, 4. how do you choose vendors? what are your customers looking for?
METTAO: We choose vendors on a list of criteria but it pretty much boils down to seniority first. If you’ve had faith in the market since the jump I’ll always show love & bring you back, loyalty is everything. That being said, we love adding new faces every chance we get. We look for a vendor who’s serious about their craft & who really believes in themselves. Just be yourself.
Snaps from Forgotten Flea’s collaborative market at On Earth in Hartford this past April in Pope Park. Photos by Joseph Abad
CAFETERIA MEDIA: Pulling off these markets requires you to put yourself out there for sure. Good or bad markets they can take a lot of out of you. Have you been able to soak it up at all?
METTAO: I remember hosting our biggest (at the time) market at home base Edgewood Skatepark last September & being absolutely blown away by the turnout. I think something like 1,100 people showed out for us that day. I couldn’t believe it, I still kinda can’t. We’ve just been growing so fast ever since then but that day sticks with me. I’m incredibly proud of this market & what it’s done for the independent vendors & the culture here in CT.
